7 Monitoring the Implementation of Broadband Plans and Strategies 7.1 Introduction A recent study shows that countries with a national broadband plan2 have a better track record for expanding both fixed and mobile broadband penetration compared with countries that do not have a plan.3 With all other variables held constant, countries with a plan have a 2.5 per cent higher fixed and 7.4 per cent higher mobile broadband penetration. The study also found that without a competitive market, broadband penetration is lower: 1.4 per cent lower for fixed and 26.5 per cent lower for mobile broadband access. A competitive market is thus a key engine of growth in many broadband plans.As policy-makers seek to develop the most effective plans for driving broadband development, a key element is how to assess and analyse what approaches work and which do not. Measurable information about the supply and use of broadband provides a basis for judging whether broadband plans and digital strategies are achieving the objectives that have been set. While strong and effective national plans will reflect local circumstances and priorities, there are many elements that are common across countries to be considered. Indeed, one of the marks of an effective performance-monitoring regime is the extent to which the key performance indicators adopted allow international comparisons to be made. This chapter therefore includes a brief review of the principles of performance monitoring and looks at the increasingly broad scope of broadband plans before moving on to examine how the implementation of broadband plans and strategies can be monitored. The main theme of the chapter is that monitoring needs to be a fully integrated part of broadband plans and strategies. Monitoring can provide an information base for the initial development of plans and strategies, allow policy-makers to check the progress of particular policies and programs, and provide the information necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of particular strategies (or the need for changes) and reassess priorities and goals. Within practical limits, monitoring should provide information on all aspects of the broadband market/ecosystem, which can be difficult given that the scope of many national broadband plans is very wide. This chapter reviews the issues around the monitoring of broadband plans as policy-makers’ focus moves from:•initial deployment to make broadbandnetworks and access available;•through projects and programs toencourage the adoption and take-up ofbroadband;•to integration of broadband as a coreelement in the digital economy.As this process occurs, performance monitoring helps to ensure that targets, costs, benefits and outcomes of projects and policies are measured and programs are well managed. This chapter therefore supplements the discussion of issues connected with monitoring the implementation of national broadband plans with examples of good practices. 7.1.1 Performance monitoring - a brief primer The overall vision for a broadband-enabled society and economy may be supported by a number of strategies to develop broadband infrastructure and to build human capacity. Common objectives are to extend networks to unserved areas, expand competition, improve the pricing and affordability of services, build capacity and improve digital literacy to support the overall adoption and use of broadband services. Each of these objectives may be pursued through a number of programs. Performance indicators will be required to measure progress against starting points, completion of key component elements and the ultimate achievement of targets and goals. Author: Colin Oliver, Senior ICT Expert1 Trends in Telecommunicaiton Reform 2015 185