UN Broadband Commission Sets Target to Connect 3.8bn People with Internet

The United Nations’ Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development launched its 2025 targets at the on-going 2018 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum holding at Davos, Switzerland. The commission says that half of the world’s population is expected to be connected with  Internet by the end of 2019, connecting the other half; an estimate of 3.8 billion people, is the focus of its ‘2025 targets’.

The commission which is co-chaired by President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and industry leader; Carlos Slim Helú of the Carlos Slim Foundation, engages in high-level advocacy to promote broadband in developing communities, and in international policy agenda.

The 2025 targets will expand broadband infrastructure, internet access and use all over the world. This, will enable those who are not benefiting from the social and economic resources of the digital world to do so, and will also help to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations and the international community in September 2015.

The 2025 targets of The Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development are:
1. By 2025, all countries should have a funded national broadband plan or strategy, or include broadband in their universal access and services definition.
2. By 2025, entry-level broadband services should be made affordable in developing countries, at less than 2% of monthly gross national income per capita.
3. By 2025 broadband / Internet user penetration should reach: 75% worldwide, 65% in developing countries, and 35% in least developed countries.
4. By 2025, 60% of youth and adults should have achieved at least a minimum level of proficiency in sustainable digital skills.
5. By 2025, 40% of the world’s population should be using digital financial services.
6. By 2025, unconnectedness of Micro-, Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises should be reduced by 50%, by sector.
7. By 2025, gender equality should be achieved across all targets.

The Broadband Commission connects high-power and influential community, including top industry CEOs, Senior policy-makers, Government representatives, International agencies, Academia and Organisations that believes in the importance of broadband for future developments. These influential leaders work together and offer rich insights and experience on broadband. They provide practical strategies that gives priority to the development of broadband infrastructure and services, ensuring that the benefits of these technologies are realised in all countries, and accessible to all people.