Breakthroughs in communication technologies, if directed to meet the needs of people, can bring about advances for all of humankind. But according to UNDP's Human Development Report 1999, released on Monday, markets can go too far and force out the non-market activities that are so vital for human development. The report also argues that "the network society is creating parallel communication systems: one for those with income and education; the other for those without connections, blocked by high barriers of time, cost and uncertainty and dependent on outdated information." The report states that the Internet benefits the relatively well-off and the educated: 88 percent of users live in industrialized countries with just 17 per cent of the world's population. The report urges the consideration of a tax on Internet traffic, with the proceeds to be used to provide computer equipment in poor countries. Should there be a tax on internet traffic ? Cast your vote It also suggests the creation of an international programme to fund the development of information and communication technologies specifically to meet the needs of poor people. According to UNDP, English is used in almost 80 percent of all websites although less than one in 10 people worldwide speak the language. The number of computers with a direct connection to the Internet rose from under 100,000 in 1988 to over 36 million in 1998. This year's Report argues that globalization is not new, but that the present era of globalization, driven by competitive global markets, is outpacing the governance of markets and the repercussions on people. Links: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): Human Development Report 1999