Faced with global recession, however, many develop-ing leverage the high ratio of mobile subscribers found in many developing countries and maximize economic benefi ts. Indeed, the growth of homegrown technol-ogies countries with limited reserves may be forced to focus on meeting more immediate needs - for example, in housing and sanitation infrastructure. If this does come to pass, the World Bank has raised the concern that developing countries may miss out on a rich development opportunity (Insight 9) in the and development of inspiring new models in m-health and m-banking applications in Africa and elsewhere may offer reverse technology transfer for OECD stimulus plans. Insight 9: Promoting Broadband Infrastructure in Developing Countries 2) Bringing forward longer-term aggregate supply-side (spillover) effects which can improve the productivity of the entire economy; 3) ‘Crowding in’ private investment, when access to Currently few people in developing economies have access to broadband networks. In 2007, an average of less than 5% of the population of low-income econo-mies private fi nancing is decreasing and more expensive. was connected to broadband networks, mostly Investments in broadband networks should also be a key part of the overall development strategies in developing countries. Achieving distributional policy objectives of reducing the digital divide and facilitating regional development through increased competitiveness are rationales for possible public intervention in broadband infrastructure. in urban centers. In this light, developing countries may be missing a great development opportunity of the economic benefi ts broadband infrastructure can bring. Several factors highlight the potential of broadband infrastructure as an important area of public investment during economic downturn, including: 1) Delivering immediate employment and aggregate Source: “Broadband Infrastructure Investment in Stimulus Packages: Relevance for Developing Countries”, Qiang (2009). demand effects and network effects; Confronting the Crisis: ICT Stimulus Plans for Economic Growth 55