Emerging Markets - Broadband for Emerging Economies

Synopsis

Archived report. This report was archived in 2013. Developing countries cannot afford to miss out on the development, growth and trade opportunities offered by broadband infrastructure. Far beyond the tangible economic benefits realized through broadband infrastructure in jobs, trade and productivity - the information and education services offered by the Internet are now public goods with truly global dimensions.

Broadband is not a nice to have, it is a need to have infrastructure for promoting economic growth, trade and productivity. In today’s challenging economic climate, broadband is more essential than ever for stimulating economic recovery and creating jobs. The information, knowledge and education that can be provided via broadband services are public goods, now with global reach. The deployment of broadband infrastructure therefore carries important public benefits for the global good, including accelerating progress towards achieving the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Mobile technology is also of key importance in emerging and as mobile phones reach the hands of more and more people living in low-income and rural areas; a growing number of people are becoming empowered, able to access information on demand and readily contactable – often for the first time.

This report provides information on the views of broadband from various leaders around the world. It also includes information on the broadband markets of the emerging economies of Russia, India, Gabon, Tonga, Nigeria, South Africa and China.

Latest developments:

At the 4th meeting of the UN Broadband Commission in October 2011, H.E Paul Kagame, president of Rwanda and co-chairman of the Commission expressed his broadband views, as did Carlos Slim Helú, Chairman, Carso Foundation, Telmex and co-chair of the Broadband Commission; Senator Conroy from Australia; Secretary General of the ITU and broadband evangelist Dr Hamadoun Touré and other influential world leaders.

Countries mentioned in this report:

Russia, India, Gabon, Tonga, Nigeria, South Africa and China.