Assessing the evolution of the Digital Divide across European Union

In our days the use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) for teaching is widely recognized that promotes the innovation and the effectiveness within all academic levels and in all teaching and training sectors. One of the main obstacles for the further penetration of e-learning is the existence of the Digital Divide across nations or / and communities. Digital Divide is defined as the different level of ICT's adoption between nations or / and communities. In this paper the historic evolution of the Digital Divide across the Member States of the European Union is analyzed, in order on one hand to examine the effectiveness of the relevant policies in relation to Digital Divide elimination and on the other hand to examine whether European citizens have the same level of opportunities in relation to e-learning. To do so, indicative quantitative indicators have been selected, related to Information and Communications Technologies penetration and more specifically related to the existence of broadband infrastructure and the penetration of broadband services. The analysis of the selected indicators reveals the progress that has been achieved in relation to the elimination of the Digital Divide across EU countries, during the last few years. The results of analysis show that in some cases, like in the case of the existence of broadband infrastructure in rural areas, a clear improvement has been achieved. On the other hand the analysis of other indicators, like the fixed and mobile broadband penetration, indicates that despite the adopted relevant policies, slight or no improvement in relation to the elimination of the Digital Divide across EU 27 has been made.