Wiring small-town China: the fiber-optic tentacles of China´s Internet extend deep into the heartland

This paper describes how Internet connectivity has transformed the lives of citizens in the various small cities in China. The assumption that China´s exploding population of Internet users are concentrated in and around Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and other metropolises is just plain wrong. A 2003 study showed that cities and towns all over China were using sophisticated information technology to promote e-government, find new markets, rationalize work flows in businesses and municipal governments, and even enjoy real-time combat and conversation. A more recent study revealed that change is continuing apace and the once prevalent dial-up links have given way almost entirely to high-speed broadband connections.