As developed countries set up ever more powerful, homogeneous and centralized networks of communication, less developed countries find their existing telecommunications networks often left behind. Rough terrain, a shallow technological base, extremely high initial costs, limited local technicians and sometimes aversion to foreign ways, all block the development of sophisticated local communications installations, and enlarge the gap between richer and poorer countries.
A phone call to New York takes seconds in Hong Kong. A few miles away in the People's Republic of China, the same call can take hours and cost very much more.