I think if we look at it from the macro level and as championed by the UN Human rights council as the right to internet access; that all people should be able to exercise their rights and enjoy freedom of expression and opinion and other fundamental human rights and as such the States should ensure internet access is broadly available and not unreasonably restrict it.
Without it there can still be wellbeing and growth but the wellbeing and growth would be greatly enhanced with it as well. Just like countries with more people that have internet access will be more developed than those with less that can access the Internet.
Being in the era of information and as more livelihoods continue to depend on the Internet as an income source i guess its getting closer to a physiological need.