ICTs, LDCs and the SDGs: Achieving universal and affordable Internet in the LDCs

In January 2018, ITU launched the report on  ICTs, LDCs and the SDGs: Achieving universal and affordable Internet in the least developed countries. This report highlights the opportunities that ICTs deliver to tackle development challenges in the most vulnerable countries in the world. This report analyzes ICT developments in the LDCs and tracks progress towards achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 9.c, to "significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries by 2020".  Its analysis is based on a new, three-dimensional framework which classifies LDCs into three categories based on their overall performance across the areas of access, affordability and skills. This will help countries identify areas that are most pressing and where to direct policy and scarce financial and human resources.

Performance across three dimensions of Internet use: access, affordability and skills

 

The Report highlights that:

• By 2016, all LDCs had launched 3G services and 61% of the LDC population were covered by a 3G mobile broadband network.

Mobile population coverage in LDCs 

• LDCs are on track to reach over 90% mobile broadband coverage and making Internet prices relatively affordable by 2020.
• 800 million people in the LDCs remain offline and in 2020, less than 1 out of 4 people in the LDCs will be using the Internet. Many people lack the necessary skills and  governments need to make the link between strategic ICT sector plans and educational policies.          
   

​​Projections for mobile 3G coverage in LDCs	​Projections for mobile broadband prices in LDCs
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​​Projections for Internet use in LDCs	​Gross secondary school enrolment​
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The report provides many examples of LDCs that show impressive leap-frogging triggered by progressive policies. It also includes key policy recommendations on how to address challenges. 

The Report was prepared in cooperation with the UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS).