Promoting Transformational Power of Broadband

Broadband has been recognized for its impact on nations’ socio-economic development and achieving Millennium Development Goals. Therefore, access and usage of broadband are increasingly considered as essential prerequisites that need to be universally available to all citizens. Convergence, digitalization and change from network centric to device centric architecture has provided tremendous opportunities for creation of User Generated Content. This has enabled the possibility of participation for anyone, anywhere, anytime in the information society through socio-economic advances and improvements in entrepreneurship especially rural / remote / marginalized communities in improving quality of life.

Based on the successes and lessons learned from countries, especially Malaysia through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) which have played a critical role to promote broadband and encourage the communities at the roots for their betterment in their lives through the belief that “Everything is possible with broadband”, MCMC has captured five stories which were told in video format about how broadband transforms lives. The stories have inspired people, not only the citizens of Malaysia, but also many in other parts of the world who have seen the videos. It is demonstrated that the approach adopted by the MCMC is so productive and effective that it should be expanded to the international level with an aim to create wide impact and awareness to as many as possible.

Recognizing the common objectives, ITU and MCMC wish to initiate a contest on promoting the transformational power of broadband – “Connecting at the Roots” - which will invite applications for capturing stories about broadband and its impact to individuals and society, based on true stories.

Enhanced awareness of use of broadband for socio-economic development;
Enhanced usage of innovations, applications and content;
Enhanced cooperation and knowledge sharing through exchange of videos/ applications;
Countries whose nationals participated in the contest would be capable of further disseminating the knowledge and spread awareness in their countries.

A contest was held in the following Categories:
Broadband for Youth / Women / Girls/ Persons with Disabilities / Elderly
Broadband in all phases of disaster management and risk reduction
Broadband for promoting and/or strengthening SMEs / Entrepreneurs
Broadband for communities / schools

On 18 November 2013, the awards were presented to the winners at the ITU Connect Asia-Pacific Summit in Bangkok, Thailand
All video presentations are available at the website: http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Conferences/connect/Asia-Pacific/Pages/connect-at-the-roots.aspx