On the face of it, those that use it.

That is far too cursory an answer. What we are talking about is a magnitude increase in information communicated between people and an attachment rate of 2-3 billion people.

For a moment, think of what that statement means.

It means that the global community will be communicating with 10x more information and
that the number of people on the Network will reach about a third of the worlds population in this decade. They will communicate using real-time video and that is a significant improvement.

Our Networked Society, exists in an decade that will see people transition from a keyboard and mouse interface to a point-and-shoot video interface; from Personal Computers to Ubiquitous computers embedded in our environment; from a few network access points to an "always connected, always on" pervasive network standard.

Every time communication has been improved, revolutions, either violent or bloodless, have followed. The first printing press, even constrained by poor distribution of the material, revolutionized Europe. In our time, it is arguable that the VCR and Television brought down the Berlin Wall. These changes have not been subtle and Governments and Institutions have gone through their own reformations in the wake of improvements in human communication.

It is an eternal verity but Dickens words come back to me, and perhaps I paraphrase; "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times"

In the human condition, some win and some lose. For better or worse, the wealthy, the powerful and those that inherit either, have a head start. Like all revolutions, many in the middle will see opportunities and rise.

Those that remain open to change, maintain their knowledge base, and move with the wave, will enjoy expanded opportunities.

In the middle is a large group of digitally adept, we might call the enfranchised opportunists. Their background, education and employment provide the skills to
participate and show them opportunities to move ahead.

It is likely that the people currently connected to Internet are the core, early adopters, in this wave.

Also see: Correlates of the Digital Divide - Barry Wellman

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