ITU

ITU’s approach to digital inclusion of all

Challenges

Substantial digital divides persist between countries. Indeed, 84.4 per cent of households in developed countries had Internet access at home in 2016, compared with 42.9 per cent in developing countries and just 14.7 per cent in least developed countries.

Digital divides are also evident within countries. Men, urban residents and young people are more likely to be online than women, rural dwellers and older people. The digital gender gap is relatively small in developed countries, more pronounced in developing countries and substantial in least developed countries.

Divides often stem from insufficient or slow connectivity, the cost of connection and a lack of relevant content in local languages. These barriers are therefore often related to age, gender, disability, socioeconomic status and geography.
Solutions
Efficient and affordable ICT infrastructure and services, combined with enabling policy and regulatory environments, allow businesses and governments to participate in the digital economy and countries to increase their overall economic well-being and competitiveness. Some 20 countries have made Internet access a fundamental or citizen right.

The global harmonization of mobile spectrum by ITU, together with the development of common international standards, has resulted in economies of scale leading to the reduction of prices of services and devices for both networks and end-users.

Mobile technology is rapidly migrating from 2G — second-generation of mobile technologies — to 3G to 4G, with 4G networks representing around 30 per cent of total Internet connections. Developed countries’ initial adoption of 5G networks is expected to exacerbate the current digital divide, as developing countries are likely to take longer to implement 5G networks. Developing countries can, however, use existing ecosystems and networks to provide universal and affordable access to ICTs. Mobile networks can be gradually upgraded once the challenges to develop a sustainable 5G system have been overcome.

Satellite services provide fixed and mobile services throughout the world. The global harmonization of mobile spectrum by ITU, together with the development of common international standards, has resulted in economies of scale leading to the reduction of prices of services and devices for both networks and end-users.

Mobile cellular networks now dominate the provision of basic telecommunication services. In developing countries, the number of mobile cellular subscriptions more than quadrupled between 2005 and 2017, reaching 98.7 per 100 inhabitants in 2017. In least developed countries, the number of mobile cellular subscriptions grew fourteenfold since 2005, reaching an estimated 70.4 per 100 inhabitants in 2017.

Broadband Internet networks are vital national infrastructure. Mobile broadband services, which tend to be cheaper than fixed broadband services, have increased rapidly and provide the most common means of access to the Internet and online services. In developing countries, the number of actual subscribers to mobile broadband grew tenfold since 2010, reaching 48.2 per 100 inhabitants in 2017. In least developed countries, active mobile broadband subscriptions increased from near zero in 2010 to 22.3 per 100 inhabitants in 2017.

To make the best use of the Internet, people require digital skills, presentation and teamwork skills, and foreign language skills.
ITU’s contribution to including everyone, everywhere in a digital society
ITU works in all regions of the world and develops tailored programmes to connect everyone to the Internet, in particular by developing infrastructure for technologies and networks, and enhancing the regulatory and market environment.

The global “Connect 2020 Agenda for Global Telecommunication/ICT Development” to shape the future of the ICT sector was unanimously adopted at the ITU 2014 Plenipotentiary Conference. It sets out the shared vision, goals and targets that Member States have committed to achieve by 2020 in collaboration with all stakeholders across the ICT ecosystem.

The agenda strives for four goals:

  1. Growth – Enable and foster access to and increased use of telecommunications/ICTs;
  2. Inclusiveness – Bridge the digital divide and provide broadband for all;
  3. Sustainability – Manage challenges resulting from the telecommunication/ICT development; and
  4. Innovation and partnership – Lead, improve and adapt to the changing telecommunication/ICT environment.

The ITU 2018 Plenipotentiary Conference is expected to review the goals and related global targets, setting the priorities in connecting the unconnected.

ITU collects ICT statistics for 200 economies and more than 100 indicators to better understand connectivity challenges and to benchmark and measure progress, including on broadband, Internet use and mobile cellular and mobile broadband networks. The Organization provides free access to a large amount of ICT statistics and recommendations as to what can be done to address challenges. ITU publishes the Yearbook of Statistics and its flagship report “Measuring the Information Society,” which includes the ICT Development Index (IDI) and the ICT Price Basket (IPB).

ITU raises awareness and assists countries in developing the policies, legislation, regulations and business practices that promote the digital inclusion of people with specific needs.

These include indigenous peoples, people living in rural areas, people with disabilities, women and girls and youth and children.

To help bridge digital divides, ITU has also published a number of publications including Bridging the Digital Innovation Divide, Achieving Universal and Affordable Internet in the Least Developed Countries, and many others.

Below are just a few examples showing how governments and the private sector can increase countries’ and people’s connectivity:

Relevant links