Big Communications: Connect the Unconnected

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the global digital divide and proposes BigCom, a comprehensive framework to connect the unconnected populations worldwide, aiming for universal access in the 6G era.

Contribution

It introduces BigCom, a novel framework addressing technological and non-technological barriers to bridge the digital divide globally.

Findings

Framework covers technological and non-technological factors

Provides implementation suggestions for stakeholders

Aims to connect 4 billion unconnected people

Abstract

In this article, we present the analysis of the digital divide to illustrate the unfair access to the benefits brought by information and communications technology (ICT) over the globe and provide our solution termed big communications (BigCom) to close the digital divide and democratize the benefits of ICT. To facilitate the implementation of BigCom, we give a complete framework of BigCom considering both technological and non-technological factors as well as a set of suggestions for content providers, mobile network operators, and governments. By implementing BigCom, we aim to connect the last four billion unconnected people living in far-flung and underdeveloped areas and achieve the goal of global and ubiquitous connectivity for everyone in the 6G era.