发展中经济体的数字化转型：从第一英里基础设施到终端用户的指尖

DigitalTransformationsinDeveloping Economies Digital transformations in developingeconomies: From the first-mile infrastructure Joël CariolleFoundation for Studies and Research on International Development (FERDI),University Clermont-Auvergne CERDI-CNRS-IRD Abstract This paper reviews the concepts, mechanisms, and empirical evidence on the diffusion ofdigital technologies (DTs) in developing economies, focusing on the distinct infrastructurallayers of connectivity—from first-mile submarine cables to last-mile mobile and broadbandnetworks. It examines how infrastructure gaps, usage disparities, and technological dividesshape digitalization pathways and their socio-economic impacts, with a particular emphasis onlower-income regions like Sub-Saharan Africa. The analysis highlights how submarine cables Key words: digital technologies, connectivity, internet, mobile, infrastructure, submarine cable,mobile networks, Africa. JEL Codes: O14, O33, L96, O55, F63 Acknowledgment:The author is grateful to Jenny Aker, Carsten Fink, María de las MercedesMenéndez de Medina, Julio Raffo, and Maryam Zehtabchi for their guidance and insightful Table of content 1. Introduction .............................................................................................................. 6 1.1 Key concepts.................................................................................................................................... 6 1.1.1. Digital technologies, digitization, and digitalization .................................................................... 61.1.2. Digital technologies as information and financial engines.......................................................... 7 1.2. The digital economy...................................................................................................................... 11 2. Diffusion of digital technologies and digital divides .......................................... 13 2.1. The infrastructure gap .................................................................................................................. 14 2.1.1. The international infrastructure gap ......................................................................................... 142.1.2. The terrestrial infrastructure gap .............................................................................................. 15 2.2. The usage gap ............................................................................................................................... 18 2.3. The technology gap and heterogenous digitalization pathways .............................................. 20 3.1. Submarine cable deployment and the cost of Internet access ................................................. 23 3.1.1. Background.............................................................................................................................. 233.1.2. The price effects of SMC deployment ...................................................................................... 24 3.2. Connecting sub-Saharan Africa................................................................................................... 283.3. Discussion and policy implications............................................................................................. 29 4. Leveraging the first-mile: international connectivity and insertion in global trade 30 4.1. Is there a digital divide in global trade? ...................................................................................... 304.2. The trade consequences of heterogenous digital absorptive capacities ................................ 324.3. A new distance puzzle? Digital proximity to world markets and export upgrading................ 334.4. From international connectivity to digital vulnerability ............................................................. 36 5. Taping into the last-mile: economic impacts of access, adoption and diffusion of digital technologies.................................................................................................... 41 5.1.1. Accessing market information through mobile phone in rural areas......................................... 425.1.2. Access to mobile connectivity and gender disparities in agricultural labor markets ................. 44 5.2. Internet diffusion and spillover effects on manufacturing in developing countries. .............. 47 5.2.1. Internet spillovers in agglomerations........................................................................................ 48 5.2.2. Spillover effect of email technology diffusion in the manufacturing sector ............................... 49 5.3. Discussion and policy implications............................................................................................. 50 6. Conclusion.............................................................................................................. 52 Appendixes ...................................