Status quo solves broadband access for sustainable development

And yet in many respects the benefits of internet connectivity have never been greater. Broadband connectivity does not merely transform individual human potential, it also underpins national efforts to develop knowledge economies, foster digital transformation in government services and digital transition across economic sectors, expand opportunities for enterprises, and provide greater value for citizens and consumers.

Broadband connectivity is also widely recognized as a critical enabler of efforts to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The importance of digital technologies in international development efforts was emphasized by the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation, which issued its findings earlier this year.

For nearly a decade now, the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development has been advocating for policies and programmes to expand access and adoption of high-speed, highcapacity broadband connections, so that the entire world can take advantage of the benefits that broadband can offer.

Meaningful universal connectivity

The concept of ‘meaningful universal connectivity’ has emerged as the focus of efforts to promote the benefits of online participation while mitigating the potential downsides of digital connectivity. It encompasses broadband adoption that is not just available, accessible, relevant and affordable, but that is also safe, trusted, empowering users and leading to positive impact.

Successful approaches to delivering meaningful universal connectivity are cognizant of the nuances that characterize barriers to access at local and regional levels. Internet users are as diverse as the global population itself. Users are not simply online or offline, but rather take myriad strategies to engage in the digital economy.

‘Meaningful universal connectivity’ strategies also recognize that non-technology and noneconomic issues play a central role in decisions to participate online or not, such as lack of digital skills, linguistic and literacy barriers, social norms, and cultural attitudes.

This report reflects on the policies and recommendations that have made an impact in reaching the 51% adoption threshold, and considers different approaches that may better address the needs of the next 49%, including measures to ensure current internet users continue to see net positive returns from participating online.

‘Meaningful universal connectivity’ focuses not only on infrastructure and supply-side initiatives, but also on thoughtful approaches to demand-side issues, meeting the needs and expectations of those who aren’t connected, while ensuring individuals who are already online continue to see value in continued participation.

A growing chorus of government officials, industry players and civil society participants recognize that the internet ecosystem needs to go beyond ‘business as usual’ to address these challenges. New strategies include: whole-of-government approaches that break down silos created by individual agencies or government ministries; truly innovative public-private partnerships – particularly targeting underserved and marginalized communities – that are sustainable and people-centric; and encouraging new modes of thinking, including welcoming and testing both sustaining innovations as well as disruptive kinds. And doing so while being candid and rigorous in tracking and measuring activities, clearly identifying what has worked and what hasn’t.

This update of the State of Broadband report details the progress made towards the 2025 Broadband Commission Targets.

For Target 1, 164 countries have introduced national broadband plans, digital strategies or ICT plans that include broadband, an increase from 159 countries last year.

For Target 2, Broadband access prices continue to decline in developing countries, and at least 90 countries have entry-level mobile broadband prices below 2% of monthly Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, whereas 69 countries have entry-level fixed broadband prices below 2% of monthly GNIpc.

For Target 3, global broadband-internet user penetration is now at 51%, still some distance away from reaching the target of 75% by 2025 worldwide.

Significant progress is being made on the other four targets (on digital skills and literacy; adoption of digital financial services; getting businesses online; and achieving gender equality in access to broadband), though lack of statistical evidence from a broad range of countries makes this progress harder to quantify.