Empowering Connectivity through Broadband Mapping

Broadband Maps

A digital infrastructure map helps countries address connectivity gaps and enhance affordability and resilience strategies. The ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) offers expert assistance in geospatial technologies, including map visualization of key ICT networks, such as optical fibre networks. This ais to enhance capacity for making informed decisions on advancing access to digital networks.

The infrastructure map was updated on 11 October 2024

What's new in the latest update?

Addition of recently planned Submarine Cables
Enriched National Mapping System (NMS) visualization with the global survey data

View the map

New! Explore the Infrastructure Connectivity Mapping Toolkit

Infrastructure Connectivity & Geospatial Analysis Toolkit

This newly launched toolkit offers a range of learning materials, platforms, and professional development resources, including ITU Academy training courses, all designed to promote awareness and build capacity to navigate connectivity challenges and analyse geospatial data for strategic planning and effective problem-solving.

Explore the toolkit

Broadband Map

The Broadband map displays infrastructure connectivity layers, consolidating the results of ITU research on transmission networks, and other relevant information

Explore the on-line digital map here

Infrastructure Maps for applied connectivity analysis are prepared through BDT projects and assistances. They offer granular and in-depth analysis focusing specific connectivity targets (e.g. schools, health centres). Access the maps here
The Toolkit of maps and geospatial from BDT can be accessed here

Indicators and Terrestrial Fibre Data Harmonization

ICT Geospatial Catalogue

The BDT Geospatial Catalogue aims to facilitate the finding of spatially referenced resources related to ICT infrastructure that can support analysis towards closing connectivity gaps and network deployment
The Geocatalogue includes the ICT Infrastructure Data Dictionaries that serve as reference for assistance on broadband mapping

Broadband Capacity Transmission Indicators

The Broadband Capacity Transmission Indicators (BCTI) were defined by ITU's WTIM-2012, Bangkok, Thailand
The definitions of the 7 BCTI indicators are presented here

Open Fibre Data

Fibre Open Data has the potential to promote increased knowledge of ICT infrastructure and foster innovative solutions to extend connectivity reach. Learn more about the Open Fibre Data work here

Data Research, Validation Framework

Data Research

Connectivity project implementation requires the execution of data research of ICT networks, including transmission networks. The details of the validation framework in place are presented here. The site contains a user guide. Also, data sources, and validation tools (*ITU account is needed for some of the features)
Data Research Summary (Dec/2023): Including the distance of global fibre networks and the population within reach of global fibre network

Data Research Framework on Terrestrial Transmission Networks

Here is the defined Framework and Methodology for the data research on terrestrial Fibers. The Circular Letters / RFIs sent for establishing the pillars of the work, and the End of Validation Process Letters to validate information to be publicized

ICT Infrastructure Business Planning Toolkit

The ICT infrastructure business planning toolkit addresses business planning challenges with mobile and fibre-optic networks and it continues to offer a clear and practical methodology for the accurate economic evaluation of broadband infrastructure installation and deployment plans. The present edition also addressed the design of networks to support sustainable 5G technology roll-out.

Projects, Partnerships and Collaboration

Announced during GSR-24: The Africa's National Broadband Mapping Systems project, Africa-BB-Maps, supported by the European Commission, will help establish broadband mapping systems to foster investment and digital transformation in Africa. With a budget of EUR 15 million over four years, the project will initially benefit 11 countries: Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Signed on 14/06/2024, Strengthening collaboration on ICT infrastructure mapping ITU and the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly indicated their intent to collaborate in the areas of broadband connectivity data, network planning, evidence-based decision-making processes and benchmarking through data analytics, as well as interconnection of networks across WATRA member states, and through improved socio-economic mapping for targeted infrastructure investment opportunities and new partnerships
Other relevant activities supported by the ITU Broadband Map:

DCM - Disaster Connectivity Maps
Early Warning for All Initiative
ICT infrastructure and Financial Inclusion Map for Mexico (FIGI): Financial Inclusion Interactive Map; Guide [English]
ICT Regulatory Tracker / G5 Benchmark: The ICT Regulatory Tracker is an evidence-based tool to help decision-makers and regulators make sense of the rapid evolution of ICT regulation. Learn more about the ICT Regulatory Tracker and the 5G Benchmark

Training

ITU Academy Training on Infrastructure Mapping and ICT Business Planning

The 2024 edition of the ITU Academy Self-Paced Training on 'Introduction to Broadband Mapping' is available to the membership. This training brings together information on how to get started with Geographical Information Systems (GIS) applied to proceed with ICT network gap analysis and planning, among other introductory concepts and practices sharing
Released on April/2024, the ITU Academy Advanced Broadband Mapping training, adds advanced topics and builds upon the existing "Introduction to Broadband Mapping" training, namely geospatial data management, advanced geospatial tools for infrastructure analysis, and Open Fibre data framework
Also released for the 1^st time ever, the ITU Academy online training: on "Introduction to the ICT Infrastructure Business Planning Toolkit". The course offers regulators, policymakers, and stakeholders a practical approach for the accurate economic evaluation of broadband infrastructure installation and deployment plans, based on the ITU ICT infrastructure business planning toolkit - 5G networks

BDT Infrastructure related Events

Contact:

- Future Networks and Spectrum Management Division (FNS) website

- email: fns@itu.int

* ITU Account / TIES required. For more information, please consult the TIES service website

Committed to connecting the world

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