Data collection in the Caribbean has traditionally been a clunky exercise, heavily dependent on phone calls and focus groups – but ever since mSurvey (a mobile surveys company which started in Kenya) set up shop in Trinidad and Tobago, the region has started to experience data collection very differently. The company recently undertook its largest project to date, “interviewing” more than 11,000 people across Trinidad and Tobago, all via mobile phones and SMS, in less than three weeks. The survey was commissioned by the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT), the regulatory body for telecommunications in the country, in an effort to assess the gap that exists between people in the twin island republic who have access to basic telecommunications and broadcasting services and those who do not. In the words of the report itself: The Digital Divide Survey is related to the economic development of a country through technological means, and looks at persons with access to technology, the utilization of such modes of technology, and the ease of access to such. Once the extent of the digital gap became known, TATT would have access to tangible information that identifies which communities and groups are under-served, including those with disabilities, with a view to helping the authority improve the reach and quality of online services. (TATT is reportedly planning to implement infrastructure to the value of over $20 million US.) The results of the survey are here. The full report is here. Global Voices interviewed Kristal Peters, Director of Business Development and Strategy for mSurvey's Trinidad and Tobago office, to find out more about the survey and how it could help to make the virtual playing field more level for people across the country. This is the first part of the interview; a second post will follow. Kristal Peters, Director of Business Development and Strategy for mSurvey's Trinidad and Tobago office. Global Voices (GV): Why do you think this survey was important to TATT? Kristal Peters (KP): The digital divide is defined in two ways: 1. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) defines the digital divide as the gap between individuals, households, businesses and geographic areas at different socioeconomic levels with regard both to their opportunities to access ICTs and to their use of the Internet for a wide variety of activities; 2. The Academic definition of the term digital divide refers to the disparity in accessing to the technologies and resources of the information and communication. In part, the solution for bridging the digital divide is to enable universal access and service – making available basic telecommunications services at an affordable price for all in society. A significant requirement of the Authority’s mandate speaks to ‘promoting universal access to telecommunications services for all persons in Trinidad and Tobago, to the extent that is reasonably practicable to provide such access’. In accordance with this, the Authority has drafted a Universal Service Framework and accompanying Regulations which outline targets as well as the administrative system to define and execute particular initiatives to provide telecommunications services to [the] widest possible population. The determination of these targets and initiatives, which will change over time, will be influenced by the results of this Digital Divide survey. Also contained within the Universal Service Framework and Regulations are Universal Service Obligations where service providers are requested to provide basic telecommunications services to selected communities, identified by the Authority. [This survey was] the mechanism required to identify [and provide information about] these ‘underserved’ groups in accessing or affording basic telecommunication services. GV: Can you summarize the findings of the survey? What is the reality of the digital divide in Trinidad and Tobago? KP: Trinidad has a high mobile phone penetration of 140% which can be leveraged for ICT innovation, [but] there is still a barrier to Internet penetration at home with a 45% penetration. Over 70% access the Internet; however, that is through a hybrid ecosystem of cafes, mobile phones, schools, libraries, and home use. GV: Do you consider access to the Internet as a right or a privilege? Why? KP: Access to information can bring about creativity, innovation, and develop a deeper understanding; and the Internet can be used as a portal to that access. The Internet was a privilege that is in transition to becoming a right, in the same way that education was once a privilege but is now a right.