Page 12 - SAMENA Trends - Gitex Special 2023

FEATURED SAMENA TRENDS

STATE OF THE WORLD'S BROADBAND

Broadband Development around the World: Consider-

ations for the Road Ahead

The events of the last three years, just how critical stable, broadband ac- “We won’t rest until we live
with a glob-al health pandemic and cess is and will continue to be. While
the swift international pivot to digital the global markets still face strong in a world where meaningful
delivery of goods, services, work, and economic headwinds today, digital connectivity is a lived reality for
play, have yielded unique insights into con-nectivity has accelerated as peo-
everyone, everywhere.”
Key Considerations ple, businesses, and governments pivoted strongly

towards online communications, and we contin-
ue to see new internet devices and applications,
growing broadband penetration into developing
markets.

The Broadband Commission for Sustainable
Development continues to see progress as we
move towards universal and meaningful online
activity. It is heartening to note that the global
offline population continues to steadily decline
to 2.6 billion people in 2023, a reduction from the
estimated 2.7 billion people offline in 2022.

“This improvement in connectivity is another
step in the right direction, and one more step
towards leaving no one behind in support of the
UN Sustainable Development Goals,” said ITU
Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin.“
This year’s ITU State of Broadband 2023 reviews
the progress of the seven Advocacy Targets, and
notes the wins that can be seen as we move to-
wards broadband being universally available, equi-
table, and affordable. Yet despite the gains, market
trends for consumption and supply are shifting,
and may not be strong enough to guarantee that
the objective of universal and meaningful connec-
tivity will be met by 2030. It therefore looks at the
cost of meeting Broadband Commission targets –
what are the considerations for how the next lap
of connectivity for digital transformation can and
should be financed and funded? It offers five con-
siderations for the road ahead..

The Broadband Commission for Sustainable
Development welcomes stakeholders and partners
to work on achieving universal and meaningful
Broadband Commission’s recently launched report, Digital Connectivity: A Transformative connectivity by 2030, to ensure not just
Opportunity, examines the shift from supply-driven to demand-driven communication
access, providing insights into the financing and funding considerations required to support connectivity, but also that those who are connected
the next stage of connectivity for digital transformation. have the skills and knowledge to use it.
12 GITEX SPECIAL 2023