The Embedding of Local Culture in Global Communication: Independent Internet Cafés in London

Abstract

Although public internet access in London is dominated by the large chain easy Internet Cafe, outside the central areas many small independent internet cafés are catering to local populations. This article examines the ways in which two of these cafés operate. Participant observation and interviews provide the data for this study of the ways in which both the local and the global are embedded into the internet cultures which are found in such settings. Patterns of migration and local demographics are found to be just as important as the layout of the space or the technological infrastructure. It is suggested that these spaces merit more study and that the standardized easy Internet café should not become the dominant unit of analysis for the study of London internet cafés, despite its significant presence in the city.