ITU-D Publications

This report examines policies to improve meaningful connectivity indicators in Brazil, focusing on two critical challenges: the affordability of fixed broadband services and access to devices. The aim of this report is to identify effective policy mechanisms to accelerate progress toward universal meaningful connectivity, particularly for vulnerable populations.

The ninth World Telecommunication Development Conference of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), held from 17 to 28 November 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijan, represented a pivotal moment in the global push for global connectivity and digital progress. Convened under the theme “Universal, meaningful, and affordable connectivity for an inclusive and sustainable digital future.” 

PoP guiding principles to facilitate children's access to protection and support through digital means.

This updated Guide is designed as a practical reference for national leaders, policymakers, regulators, industry representatives, civil society, and other parties involved in the development of an NCS. Recognizing the importance of multistakeholder engagement, the Guide’s emphasis on government entities in some sections seeks to highlight where a government entity’s leadership is pivotal to the sustainability of the process. 

The Global Connectivity Report 2025 provides a comprehensive assessment of the evolution of global connectivity, which has progressed from a scarce resource in 1994 to an essential pillar of daily life, with approximately 6 billion people estimated to be online by 2025. The report frames its analysis around the policy imperative of achieving universal and meaningful connectivity (UMC), defined by six interdependent dimensions: Quality, Availability, Affordability, Devices, Skills, and Security.

ITU’s Measuring digital development: Facts and Figures series presents annual global, regional and income-group estimates for key connectivity indicators. The 2025 edition shows that almost three-quarters of the world’s population are now online. Yet progress is slowing, and 2.2 billion people remain offline – most of them in low and middle income countries.

This report examines the strategies and policies essential for fostering broadband adoption in developing countries. Through a comprehensive analysis of the current landscape, identification of key challenges, and exploration of successful case studies and best practices, it provides actionable recommendations for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and international development partners. 

This report explores the evolution of broadcasting technologies, focusing on the transition to digital systems worldwide. 

This report emphasizes the importance of emerging technologies, early warning systems, and effective policies for disaster preparedness, response, and resilience. It highlights case studies and the need for inclusive, accessible communication systems to save lives and reduce societal impacts.

​This report addresses issues like affordability, infrastructure-sharing, and the impact of emerging technologies. It explores topics such as cost models, innovation, digital transformation, and the role of ICTs in economic recovery and development.

This report has been revised in 2025 with the addition of new information from contributions received in the 2022-2025 ITU-D study period. It addresses economic aspects including charging methods, consumer price evolution and infrastructure-sharing models.

This report presents findings on ICT solutions for rural and remote areas, focusing on cost-effective connectivity, quality of service, and sustainable business models. It explores the role of universal service funds, renewable energy, and satellite technology, offering guidelines for bridging the rural-urban divide and improving access to telecommunication services.

This report explores consumer protection in the digital age, focusing on frameworks to empower and safeguard consumers in the rapidly evolving ICT sector. It examines regulatory tools, digital literacy, transparency, and the protection of vulnerable groups, emphasizing the need for coordinated action and adaptability to emerging technologies.

This report highlights the critical need for universal access to ICTs as a cornerstone of digital inclusion, underscoring the role of policy-makers, businesses, and organizations in ensuring accessible ICTs for disadvantaged groups, particularly persons with disabilities, to bridge the digital divide and support inclusive development across sectors.

The report offers a comprehensive framework for developing smart cities globally by examining key areas like connectivity, infrastructure, policies, and smart services. It synthesizes experiences and practices to promote resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability in urban planning and development.

The report explores how emerging technologies drive digital transformation, detailing e-services in sectors like health and education. It highlights user-focused applications and national strategies, providing insights to improve global connectivity and digital integration.

The report compiles national experiences to help develop strong cybersecurity strategies, focusing on awareness, capacity building, CIRTs, 5G security, and threats like smishing. It provides a strategic blueprint for enhancing cybersecurity and securing the digital future.

The report addresses C&I challenges by leveraging global experiences, focusing on frameworks, MRAs, IoT compliance, and combating counterfeiting and theft of mobile devices. It synthesizes national experiences to enhance market surveillance and protect network integrity worldwide.

The report synthesizes global case studies on ICT adoption, focusing on connectivity, affordability, digital skills frameworks, and public-private partnerships. It offers stakeholders a framework to accelerate inclusive digital transformation worldwide, addressing key strategic challenges effectively. 

The report synthesizes global practices in climate action and e-waste management, highlighting ICTs, Big Data, and Earth observation. It offers guidelines for integrating ICTs with sustainability goals and details actions for effective e-waste management and promoting a circular economy.

The report outlines recent strategies on human exposure to electromagnetic fields, synthesizing national experiences in risk communication, management, setting RF-EMF limits, and ensuring compliance. It aids administrations in adopting robust regulations to protect and inform citizens effectively.​

The publications are the principal result of each Study Group question and are based on contributions received from ITU-D membership. All stakeholders, especially those in developing countries, can use the insights and findings to: adapt guidelines from the report into their national policy, connect to countries and partners for capacity building and in-country implementation actions, and move closer to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), targets and their specific development priorities. ​
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The Digital Transformation Centres (DTC) Initiative began with a clear vision: to help more people, particularly those in rural and underserved areas, acquire the digital skills they need to thrive in today’s connected world. Launched in September 2019 through a partnership between ITU and Cisco, the Initiative has grown into a global effort to support communities left behind in the digital age. ​
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In an increasingly connected world, access to meaningful and affordable connectivity is not a privilege it is a fundamental enabler of social and economic development. Yet, for billions around the globe, especially in underserved and remote communities, this promise remains unfulfilled. Bridging the digital divide requires more than expanding coverage; it demands a new paradigm of transformational connectivity, one that unlocks opportunity, drives innovation, and ensures no one is left behind.​ ​
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The GSR-25 Best Practice Guidelines provide timely and practical direction for regulators ready to lead in building inclusive, resilient and innovation-driven digital ecosystems.

This Toolkit provides policymakers and other industry actors with a practical, step-by-step guide to establishing an inclusive and fair e-waste management system, enhanced by the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). It features insights from ICT and environmental experts to support decision-making, especially in countries with emerging or no e-waste policies.​
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This report explores sustainable connectivity and digital skills models aimed at broadening digital access and skills opportunities for youth not in employment, education or training (YNEETs) in rural and township communities in South Africa.

This special edition of ITU’s Facts and Figures series presents a comprehensive overview of digital progress in LLDCs, with key data and analysis on connectivity, affordability, and digital policy. It highlights both the diversity of experiences across LLDCs and the common challenges they face, offering insights to guide action toward universal and meaningful connectivity.​

This report explores sustainable connectivity and digital skills models aimed at broadening digital access and skills opportunities for youth not in employment, education or training (YNEETs) in rural and township communities in South Africa.

This special edition of ITU’s Facts and Figures series presents a comprehensive overview of digital progress in LLDCs, with key data and analysis on connectivity, affordability, and digital policy. It highlights both the diversity of experiences across LLDCs and the common challenges they face, offering insights to guide action toward universal and meaningful connectivity.​

The 2025 edition of ITU’s ICT Development Index (IDI) confirms steady progress toward universal and meaningful connectivity. The global average score rose for the third consecutive year, with low-income economies achieving the fastest gains. However, persistent disparities remain, especially in affordability and usage.

This report analyses the costs of connecting to the Internet and providing Internet services in Nigeria, and seeks to provide clear recommendations for the telecommunication business and policy in the country.

The fourth edition of the Greening Digital Companies: Monitoring Emissions and Climate Commitments report continues to track greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, energy use and climate commitments of 200 digital companies. The Greening Digital Companies report is based on the most recent full fiscal year for which consistent data can be obtained across all companies — currently 2023.

Measuring digital development - The affordability of ICT services 2024 presents timely insights and recent trends on the affordability of ICT services. Based on ITU’s ICT price data collection 2024 for five connectivity services, the analysis also addresses affordability divides across and within countries that continue to hamper universal and meaningful connectivity.

Publication Date: May 2025

Rapidly evolving technologies are exacerbating existing information asymmetries in our digital worlds; hence, it is even more important to safeguard consumers and develop protection mechanisms that support consumers in making purchase-, subscription- and use-related decisions in the market and, in so doing, enable citizens and businesses to participate in, and fully harness the benefits of, the digital economy and society. 

The extension of high-quality broadband infrastructure to rural and remote areas is crucial to bridge the digital divide. USFs are a valuable source of funding in addition to commercial and non-profit operators, for both infrastructure and the development of innovative technologies, to serve communities in rural and remote areas.

In a world characterized by increasing data, mobility, vulnerability to threats and inequality, the reach and resilience of satellite systems can help expand connectivity in every part of the globe. The successful deployment of satellite services depends on an enabling policy and regulatory environment at the national, regional and global levels fostering growth, innovation and continuous investment from industry. 

The rapid deployment of 5G technology presents a paradigm shift in telecommunications, offering unparalleled speed and connectivity that can revolutionize various sectors. However, the complexity of 5G networks introduces cybersecurity challenges that must be addressed to protect the networks and the critical infrastructure.

Using econometric models, the study reveals the impact of ICT on innovation, productivity, and digital inclusion. Although growth has slowed, the ICT sector remains a key driver of economic transformation, with ongoing advancements in connectivity expected to sustain its long-term influence. Broadband adoption continues to rise, supported by greater coverage and affordability.

The CIS region is advancing toward universal digital connectivity, with high Internet use and mobile broadband affordability. However, disparities in infrastructure, regulatory maturity, and digital skills remain. This report examines key trends and showcases impactful initiatives driving digital development across the region.

Africa is at a key point in its digital transformation. While progress is underway, the region continues to face challenges in infrastructure, affordability, and regulation. This report provides an assessment of digital development trends and highlights key policy initiatives shaping connectivity across the region.

The Americas region showcases strong progress in digital development, yet challenges such as connectivity gaps, affordability, and digital inclusion persist. This report explores key trends, policy developments, and regional initiatives driving digital transformation across the region.

Asia and the Pacific is a powerhouse of digital transformation, yet stark inequalities remain. This report examines connectivity expansion, innovation, affordability, and digital inclusion, outlining strategies to achieve universal and meaningful connectivity across this diverse region.

The joint ITU–World Bank case study, "Measuring National ICT Sector Environmental Impact: Arcep Case Study – France," highlights how France adopts a collaborative approach to collecting environmental data from the ICT sector and using it to integrate digital and environmental strategies into national policymaking.

Europe leads in digital connectivity, with near-universal broadband access and advanced regulatory frameworks. This report analyzes trends, investment gaps, cybersecurity challenges, and sustainability efforts, highlighting how the region can maintain its leadership in the digital economy.

The Arab States region is making strides in digital development, with 95 per cent mobile broadband coverage. However, disparities persist in usage, affordability, and digital skills. This report explores key trends, regulatory developments, and initiatives shaping the region’s digital transformation.