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Universal Broadband Connectivity

"Broadband networks offer perhaps the greatest opportunity we have ever had to make rapid and solid advances in global social and economic development – across all sectors, including healthcare, education, new job opportunities, transportation, agriculture, trade and government services. In the twenty-first century, broadband networks therefore need to be considered as basic critical infrastructure, like roads, railways, water and power networks."

Mr Houlin Zhao, ITU Secretary-General

The UN Broadband Commission

The Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development is a public-private partnership fostering digital cooperation and developing actionable recommendations for achieving universal connectivity.

Established in 2010 by ITU, UNESCO, H.E. President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, and Mr. Carlos Slim Helú of Mexico, the Commission is composed of around 50 Commissioners who represent a cross-cutting group of top CEO and industry leaders, senior policy-makers and government representatives, and experts from international agencies, academia and organizations concerned with development.

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State of Broadband

The State of Broadband annual report is a unique, global snapshot of broadband network access and affordability. Written through a consensus-driven framework and drawing on the insights of the Commission's high-level, multistakeholder membership, the report provides:

a snapshot of global progress on reaching universal connectivity;
input on the most pertinent issues facing broadband development;
updates on the 2025 Broadband Advocacy Targets; and
insights from Commissioners on the policy actions needed to reach universal connectivity.

The 2022 Report, Accelerating Broadband for New Realities, examines how COVID-19 has spotlighted the need for a multilateral, collaborative regulatory regime to advance global digital transformation.

Working Groups are at the heart of the work being done at the Broadband Commission. With more than 30 groups to date, the Broadband Commission's Working Groups convene industry leaders, government officials and civil society to address prominent issues affecting broadband access, affordability and use. Working Groups are proposed, chaired and led by Commissioners, with the support of external experts.

2022 Working Groups explored the following themes: Universal smartphone access, AI capacity building, data for learning, and virtual health & care.

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Universal Connectivity Manifesto

The Universal Connectivity Manifesto calls on the global community to recognize digital connectivity as the foundational element of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Manifesto affirms the commitment of the Broadband Commission to mobilize efforts to achieve the 'Global Goal of Universal Connectivity' in support of the UN Secretary-General's Roadmap for Digital Cooperation and other connectivity initiatives.

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Online resources and useful links

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Contact

The Broadband Commission
bbcommission@itu.int

Communications and Promotion
pressinfo@itu.int

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