Digital Divide In Afghanistan: Exploring Internet Access Inequalities

Afghanistan has had the internet since 2002, but internet access is still limited. As of 2022, there were over 9 million internet users in Afghanistan, which is around 18-22% of the population. This is a notable increase from 2016, when internet penetration was estimated to be 6.8%. The internet is available in all 34 provinces of Afghanistan, and there are 7 main internet service providers (ISPs) in the country.

Internet penetration in Afghanistan was 22% in 2021

Afghanistan has had a turbulent relationship with the internet. Before 2002, the internet was prohibited in the country, as it was believed that it could be used to broadcast obscene, immoral, and anti-Islamic material. However, in 2002, during the presidency of Hamid Karzai, the internet officially became available in Afghanistan.

Since then, internet usage in Afghanistan has grown steadily, with internet penetration reaching 22% in January 2021. This equates to approximately 8.64 million internet users out of a population of 39.38 million. The number of internet users in Afghanistan increased by 996,000 (+13%) between 2020 and 2021.

While the internet is now available in all 34 provinces of Afghanistan, there are still challenges to internet access in the country. As a developing Islamic country, Afghanistan shares many cultural traditions with its Middle Eastern neighbors, who are often suspicious of and resistant to technological change. Additionally, the country faces issues such as low levels of education and literacy, poor technology infrastructure, and a wide income gap, which can hinder internet access and usage.

Despite these challenges, Afghans have long recognized the importance of the internet as a source of growth and development. It is believed that information and communication technologies can create opportunities for disadvantaged groups and improve the access of the rural poor to markets. The price of the internet has also been gradually decreasing since the late 2010s, making it more accessible to the population.

Internet access was prohibited in Afghanistan before 2002

The internet was prohibited in Afghanistan before 2002, during the Taliban's first rule between 1996 and 2001. The Taliban banned the internet alongside music and other 'modern concepts' such as women having a role in society. As a result, most Afghans were cut off from the emerging online world. The ban was enforced because the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan believed that the internet may be used to broadcast obscene, immoral, and anti-Islamic material. Additionally, the few internet users in Afghanistan at the time obtained their telephone lines from neighbouring Pakistan, making it difficult for the Taliban to monitor their activity.

The Taliban's stance on the internet contrasted with its approach to spreading its message outside of Afghanistan. The group has maintained an official website since 1998 and has been on Twitter for over a decade, even while Afghan civilians were barred from going online. The Taliban's ability to utilise the internet for its own purposes while restricting access for Afghans illustrates the group's control and its nuanced approach to technology.

During the Taliban's rule, Afghanistan remained resolutely analogue. This ban on internet access contributed to the country's lag in accessing and using information and communication technologies (ICT). Afghanistan and its neighbouring developing countries in the Middle East have faced challenges in keeping up with the Information Revolution and have largely fallen behind developed countries in this regard.

The prohibition of the internet in Afghanistan before 2002 had significant implications for the country's development and connectivity with the outside world. It hindered access to information, communication, and modern technologies, impacting various aspects of life, including education, healthcare, and commerce.

Afghanistan has 327,000 IP addresses

The internet became available in Afghanistan in 2002, during the presidency of Hamid Karzai. Prior to that, it was prohibited by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan due to concerns about obscene and anti-Islamic content, as well as the difficulty of monitoring internet usage. The number of IP addresses in Afghanistan reflects the growth and development of internet access in the country since its introduction.

As of 2022, over 9 million people in Afghanistan, or roughly 18% of the population, had access to the internet. This number is expected to continue growing, and the internet is now available in all 34 provinces of the country. The increasing availability of the internet in Afghanistan is important for several reasons. Firstly, Afghans have recognized the internet as a vital source of growth and development, believing that it can create opportunities for disadvantaged groups and improve access to markets for the rural poor.

Additionally, the internet can provide enhanced business opportunities, improved education, and better information in crucial areas such as health, agriculture, and commerce. However, there are also challenges associated with introducing the internet to developing countries like Afghanistan. Cultural and political issues, such as government opposition and concerns about Western influence, have been significant factors in limiting internet access in the past.

Furthermore, the economics of internet access, including the cost of equipment and connectivity, can be a barrier for many people. Nonetheless, the number of IP addresses in Afghanistan indicates a positive step towards increasing internet access and connectivity in the country.

4.4 million Afghans used social media in 2021

Afghanistan has long recognised the internet as a vital source of growth and development, believing that information and communication technologies can create opportunities for disadvantaged groups and improve the access of the rural poor to markets. In 2021, there were 4.4 million social media users in Afghanistan, an increase of 800,000 (+22%) from the previous year. This number constituted 11.2% of the country's total population of 39.38 million.

While the internet is available in all of Afghanistan's 34 provinces, the country faces a digital divide, with only an estimated 18% of the population having access to the internet as of 2020. This disparity is partly due to government opposition to information and communication technologies (ICT), as well as cultural and economic factors. Afghanistan's neighbours in the Middle East also experience similar challenges, lagging behind developed countries in their access to and use of ICT.

The introduction of 3G services in 2012 and 4G services in 2017 has likely contributed to the increase in social media users. As of 2021, nearly all popular online services and millions of websites are accessible in Afghanistan, including Facebook, Google, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. The availability of these platforms has provided Afghans with opportunities for social connection, information access, and participation in global conversations.

It is worth noting that the social media landscape in Afghanistan is dynamic, and the number of users may have fluctuated since 2021. Additionally, the recent political changes in the country may have impacted internet and social media usage. Nonetheless, the increasing trend in social media usage among Afghans highlights the growing importance of online platforms in the country.

The internet is available in all 34 provinces of Afghanistan

Afghanistan has 34 provinces, and the internet is available in all of them. The country has around 9.2 million regular internet users, which is around 18% of the population. This number has been steadily increasing, with a rise of 996,000 users between 2020 and 2021.

The internet became available in Afghanistan in 2002, during the presidency of Hamid Karzai. Before this, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan prohibited internet access, believing it could be used to spread obscene, immoral, and anti-Islamic material. The few internet users in the country at the time obtained their telephone lines from neighbouring Pakistan, making them difficult to monitor.

The internet is seen as a vital tool for growth and development in Afghanistan, with the potential to create opportunities for disadvantaged groups and improve access to markets for the rural poor. It is also a way for Afghans to stay connected to the outside world.

However, there are concerns about the future of the internet in Afghanistan. The Taliban, who ruled the country from 1996 to 2001, effectively banned the internet during their previous time in power. They have a history of targeting telecommunications infrastructure, and there are fears they may restrict internet access once again. The Taliban has already shut down internet and phone services in the Panjshir Valley north of Kabul, the last area of the country not under their control.

In addition, international sanctions could result in the loss of key online services, as most service providers are based in the United States. The departure of foreign telecom companies from Afghanistan could also impact internet access.

Despite these concerns, the internet remains available across all 34 provinces of Afghanistan, providing essential connectivity for millions of people.

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