ITU's 160 anniversary

Committed to connecting the world

Broadband Commission

The State of Broadband 2023: Digital connectivity. A transformative opportunity
2023  New!  

The events of the last three years, with a global health pandemic and the swift international pivot to digital delivery of goods, services, work, and play, have yielded unique insights into just how critical stable, broadband access is and will continue to be. While the global markets still face strong economic headwinds today, digital connectivity has accelerated as people, businesses, and governments pivoted strongly towards online communications, and we continue to see new internet devices and applications, growing broadband penetration into developing markets.
Available inelectronic file  
 
Strategies Towards Universal Smartphone Access
2022  

How can we close the smartphone access gap and ensure greater digital inclusion?

The Broadband Commission Working Group on Smartphone Access represents the first multi-stakeholder analysis to outline actionable recommendations to address smartphone access challenges.

Read the report via this link.

Available inelectronic file  
 
The State of Broadband 2022: Accelerating broadband for new realities
2022  

The ITU/UNESCO Broadband Commission's flagship State of Broadband 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 2022 edition provides an overview of the latest trends in digital connectivity, including access, adoption and use in the new post-pandemic world.

It further examines how the pandemic has accelerated the uptake of broadband and the adoption of digital services by individuals and businesses, the digitalization of governmental services , explores how much this will be sustained post-pandemic and what the consequences are for the design and quality of broadband networks, reviews progress made towards achieving the seven Broadband Advocacy Targets, examines approaches that can be taken to address the various digital gaps (demand and supply side) highlighted by the pandemic and considers steps to overcome challenges brought by the pandemic in terms of addressing the digital divide.

Available inelectronic file  
 
Importance of ICT and Global Cooperation for Future Epidemic Management
2022  

Available inelectronic file  
 
21st Century Financing Models for Bridging Broadband Connectivity Gaps
2021  

In our industry-wide and cross-stakeholder collaborative strive to build a truly inclusive and sustainable digital future, we are now at crossroads that demand foresight in decision-making, thinking beyond current approaches and business practices. Thanks to the joint aspirations of many leaders and organizations to achieve the UN SDGs with targeted investments into ICTs, we are now treading a path that may lead us to a future where digital inclusion is a given, and where digital technologies can bring to bear their full potential and contribute to improving the human condition.
Available inelectronic file  
 
The State of Broadband 2021: People-Centered Approaches for Universal Broadband
2021  New!  

Available inelectronic file  
 
The digital transformation of education: connecting schools, empowering learners
2020  

Available inpaper   electronic file  
 
The State of Broadband 2020: Tackling digital inequalities - A decade for action
2020  

The world in 2020 is in a state of flux. While much progress has been made globally over the past ten years in expanding access to, and adoption of, broadband infrastructure and services, significant challenges remain in tackling digital inequalities, addressing the current widespread impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in accelerating efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

This newly released ITU publication is also available for free download via the new ITU Publications Hub, where other titles with similar themes may be searched and accessed.

Available inpaper   electronic file  
 
The State of Broadband : Broadband as a Foundation for Sustainable Development
2019  New!  

This annual report from the ITU/UNESCO Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development showcases the state and trends in broadband deployments around the world.

The 2019 edition is now available for free download below.

Available inpaper   electronic file  
 
The State of Broadband 2018: Broadband catalyzing sustainable development
2018  

This annual report from the ITU/UNESCO Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development showcases the state and trends in broadband deployments around the world.

The 2018 edition is now available for download below, or for the first time available online in a new interactive format.

Available inpaper   electronic file  
 
The State of Broadband 2017
2017  

This annual report from the ITU/UNESCO Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development showcases the state and trends in broadband deployments around the world. The 2017 edition is freely available for download in the various electronic versions below.
Available inpaper   electronic file  
 
The State of Broadband 2016: Broadband catalyzing sustainable development
2016   Publication Notice with Order Form

This report provides an update on progress towards the global targets of the ITU/UNESCO Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development and showcases the research and thought leadership of the Broadband Commission. It also provides a global snapshot of where the telecommunication/ICT industry stands with regards to fixed and mobile broadband deployment, affordability and usage, as well as the use of broadband for achieving development objectives. It will examine the use of new and upcoming technologies, such as 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT) for development.
Available inpaper   electronic file  
 
Working Together to Connect the Next 1.5 Billion by 2020 - Report on the Special Session of the UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum
2016  

Available inpaper   electronic file  
 
Harnessing the Internet of Things for Global Development
2015  

Available inpaper   electronic file  
 
The State of Broadband 2015
2015   Publication Notice with Order Form

Every year, the ITU/UNESCO Broadband Commission for Digital Development publishes its 'State of Broadband' report to take the pulse of the global broadband industry and explore progress in broadband connectivity. This report provides a global snapshot of where the telecommunications/ICT industry stands with regards to fixed and mobile broadband deployment, affordability and usage, as well as the use of broadband for achieving development objectives, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It evaluates the take-up and development of broadband around the world, and tracks the Broadband Commission's targets. It draws on the thought leadership of the Commission and its research into National Broadband Plans. It also offers a range of perspectives on how to boost the roll-out and adoption of broadband networks and services across developing countries.
Available inpaper   electronic file  
 
The Role of Broadband in the post-2015 development agenda: A practical guide
2014  

Available inpaper   electronic file  
 
Broadband Commission for Digital Development: Creating a favorable Environment for Attracting Finance and Investment in Broadband Infrastructure
2014  

Available inpaper   electronic file  
 
The State of Broadband 2014: Broadband for All
2014  

Available inpaper   electronic file  
 
Working Group on Climate Change: The Broadband Bridge : Linking ICT with Climate Action
2012  

A report from the Broadband Commission Working Group on Climate Change
Available inpaper   electronic file  
 
Task Force on Sustainable Development: Transformational Solutions for 2015 and Beyond
2013  

This report was prepared by a Broadband Commission Task Force and launched at the 8th meeting of the Commission on 21 September 2013.
Available inpaper   electronic file  
 
Working Group on Broadband and Gender: Doubling Digital opportunities - enhancing the inclusion of women & girls in the Information Society
2013  

This Report studies the role that ICTs and the Internet can play in advancing gender equality agendas, including equal access to new technologies by women and girls
Available inpaper   electronic file  
 
Broadband: A Platform for Progress, 2011
2011  

Available inpaper   electronic file  
 
The State of Broadband 2012: Achieving Digital Inclusion for All
2012  

Published in September 2012, one year after the launch of the Broadband Challenge and advocacy Targets, provides a snapshot of the current broadband market and trends.
Available inpaper   electronic file  
 
The State of Broadband 2013: Universalizing Broadband
2013  

Published in September 2013, this report explores how and when everyone can be connected to broadband Internet and urges all stakeholders to work together towards a common vision to achieve universal broadband in the converged broadband environment.

Please see all Broadband Commission related documents on https://www.broadbandcommission.org/publications/Pages/default.aspx

Available inpaper   electronic file  
 
Technology, Broadband and Education Advancing the Eduction for all Agenda
2013  

Available inpaper   electronic file  
 
A 2010 Leadership imperative: the future built on broadband
2010  

This Report refers to broadband as a cluster of concepts, including always-on: the Internet service is subject to real-time instantaneous updates, without users re-initiating connection to the server (as is the case with some dial-up Internet connections); high-capacity: the connection should be low latency and high-capacity in its ability to respond rapidly and convey a large quantity of bits (information) arriving per second (rather than the speed at which those bits travel) - as a result, broadband enables the combined provision of voice, data and video at the same time. Against this background, the Broadband Commission for Digital Development proposes that all relevant stakeholders engage in creating a strategic framework for building a Broadband Development Dynamic, specifically targeted at the accelerated achievement of the MDGs, Knowledge Societies and beyond through the inter-dependent forces of Policy, Infrastructure, Technology, Innovation, Content and Applications, People and Government. Presented to Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, during the UN MDG Summit in New York in September 2010, including a Declaration, Plan of Action and recommendations.
Available inelectronic file  
 
The State of Broadband 2024: Leveraging AI for Universal Connectivity
2024  New!  

Available inelectronic file