Over the last 30 years, internet access has transitioned from a luxury that few could afford to a necessity that is relied upon by the masses, integral to their well-being and prosperity. Technological hardware has advanced in accordance with Moore’s Law, resulting in smaller, more powerful, and more affordable electronic devices. However, too many are still left out—not because of the costs of a phone, but because of the cost of internet services. The variation in the affordability of internet access is the focus of the latest Internet Poverty Index (IPI) 2023, which projects the distribution of individuals who are priced out of a basic package of mobile internet and are thus living in internet poverty.
