Global village leaves many out

By John Duchemin
Advertiser Staff Writer

Information technology has become a cultural, educational and commercial force of immense power, but it's far from perfect — and that's both good and bad, the chief executive of one of the world's largest computer companies told listeners in Honolulu last week.

Michael Capellas of Compaq Computer Corp said the spread of high-technology is far from perfect. Advertiser library photo

But Capellas, Compaq's chairman and chief executive officer, said he is disturbed by the growing digital divide between information-rich countries and the world's poorer communities.

Capellas spoke twice Wednesday — once to students and local technology business people at the University of Hawai'i, and once as a keynote speaker at the Asian Development Bank annual meeting. Compaq was one of the meeting's main sponsors, providing more than $1 million of computer hardware and support services.

In each speech Capellas said governments, businesses and schools need to tackle some of the serious problems emerging as the Internet spreads worldwide. Most of these problems revolve around the economic gap between developed and developing countries, he said. Richer countries are increasing their use of information technology at an ever-faster rate — but poorer countries find themselves further behind, Capellas said.

I-MODE wireless Internet use in Japan totals more than 17 million users; in Singapore, 45 percent of the population use the Internet; and Hong Kong has a mobile phone concentration rate of 71 percent.

The globalizing effect of advanced communications make such advances possible virtually anywhere, he said. That's why Hawai'i, for example, can easily become a breeding ground for high-tech companies, if the state plays its cards right, Capellas told the UH audience.

"At one time, there was a perception that you needed to go to Silicon Valley to be successful, but that game's over," he said. "I don't see being in Hawai'i as either an impediment or an opportunity. The world has become truly global, and last I checked, Hawai'i is somewhere on the globe."

But "the other reality," he said, is that much of the world is still technology-starved. For example, 98 percent of Asians are not connected to the Internet; 96 percent don't own a personal computer and 93 percent don't own a mobile phone. The poorest Asian countries — Vietnam, India, Indonesia — also have the lowest rates of Internet penetration, Capellas said, citing Asia Week.

Aside from economic effects, a concentration of information technology in rich nations has serious cultural implications, he said. The Internet, where American content dominates, is disturbingly monocultural, Capellas said.

The world clearly has much progress to make before everyone can enjoy the benefits of improved information technology, he said. Regulatory structures must be revamped to foster competitive markets, particularly in poorer protectionist nations. Tax codes for Internet use and online commerce must be made consistent and logical. Infrastructure investments need to continue, and help must be given to rural areas.

Education — a key strength in Asian culture, must be upgraded to teach children to use and improve the latest technology. And economic development and human rights "must go hand in hand," he said.

What is needed is an unprecedented level of cooperation, not only among world governments, but between political, business and educational leaders, he said.

For example, cutbacks in U.S. financing for high-performance computing research show the need for collaboration, Capellas said.

"While I'm truly, truly concerned about the drop in funding levels, in a way this is forcing us in the private sector to step up and be more collaborative," he said. "The only way we can advance is by forming clever alliances around major universities."