Cheap internet access 'coming'

The astronomical cost of connecting computers with the world wide web was often cited as the biggest factor inhibiting more access to the information superhighway, specifically in Africa, Gates said.

He made the comments at a two-day Microsoft Government Leaders Forum for Africa that ended on Tuesday.

"That (internet access) cost is much higher in places where there's less people connected," Gates told delegates at the conference which was also attended by former US president Bill Clinton.

Costs higher

"In urban Africa the costs are higher, and in rural Africa, not only is it much higher... in many places it's simply not available," the local SAPA news agency quoted Gates as saying.

Much of Africa was devoid of power grids and telephone lines, making inexpensive wireless technology capable of working over vast distances the obvious solution.

"And we'll be piloting these throughout the developing world," Gates said, adding his vision could be reality in five to 10 years.

"So even that one piece that is still so difficult, if you look at the five-to ten-year time frames, will have very inexpensive solutions to that."

Gates said the ability of technology to change the way the world worked has been consistently underestimated by critics.

Smaller place

"Technology makes the world a smaller place, and so particularly for people who are not in the... urban centres, this technology can be revolutionary," said the billionaire philanthropist.

Clinton added that technology has expanded opportunities of millions of people around the world.

"... and - whether expanding access to information, education or healthcare or increasing the collective power of individuals... it has an important role to play in creating a thriving, competitive Africa," he said.

Gates and Clinton were expected to jet to the poor mountain kingdom of Lesotho on Wednesday where they will visit anti-HIV/Aids clinics - another shared passion.