Committed to connecting the world
Infrastructure Analysis and Programme Support for ITU Giga Activities
| Project No | 9GLO23125 | |
| Title | Infrastructure Analysis and Programme Support for ITU Giga Activities | |
| Description |
Giga is a UNICEF-ITU global partnership initiative to connect every school to the Internet and every young person to information, opportunity, and choice. Launched in 2019, Giga sets the goal of providing connectivity to every school in the world. In 2022, some 2.7 billion people in the world do not have access to the Internet, of whom the majority are women and girls. Nearly half of 6 million schools in the world are not connected to the Internet, and more than 500 million students have no access to the Internet. The lack of access to the Internet means exclusion, marked by the lack of access to the wealth of information available online, fewer resources to learn and to grow, and limited opportunities for the most vulnerable children and youth to fulfil their potential. Closing the digital divide requires global cooperation, leadership, and innovation in finance and technology. This Project builds upon the achievements of the earlier Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Giga Project (2GLO20104 and 2GLO20104-03). As a result of the UN to UN Agency Transfer Agreement between ITU and UNICEF, this Project focuses on the resources required for BDT to carry out Infrastructure analysis activities on behalf of ITU´s participation in the Giga initiative. |
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| Area of Action |
Technology & Network Development Digital Inclusion |
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| Status | Implemented | |
| Time Frame | From 1/4/2023 To 28/2/2025 | |
| Implementing Agency | International Telecommunication Union (ITU) | |
| Cooperation Agency | United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) | |
| Financial Scale (CHF) | 100'000 - 500'000 | |
| Achievements |
The project supported global school connectivity efforts under Giga through the development of innovative infrastructure analysis methodologies and technical tools. Its primary aim was to strengthen evidence-based planning for school connectivity by helping identify feasible last-mile connectivity solutions for underserved schools. The project successfully developed a prototype methodology and software application for tower-to-school visibility analysis. The solution incorporated geospatial data, visibility modelling and infrastructure planning techniques to help determine suitable connectivity options and improve decision-making for broadband deployment to educational institutions. The methodology and software were tested and applied in five countries: Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Rwanda and Zambia. Tower-to-school visibility data and country analyses were produced to support connectivity planning and enable identification of potential infrastructure solutions for connecting schools. Technical enhancements achieved through the project included improvements to elevation data processing, integration of population datasets, optimisation of fibre-path planning algorithms and the development of analytical tools to support connectivity planning. These advances strengthened the technical resources available for future school connectivity initiatives. The project also ensured active participation by ITU in Giga-related coordination activities and stakeholder discussions. Through technical guidance, programme support and infrastructure analysis expertise, the project contributed to strengthening global efforts to connect schools and expand access to digital learning opportunities.
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