At the ongoing Broadband Leadership Summit, the UN Broadband Commission endorsed today new broadband targets for countries to implement by 2015. The new targets that cover broadband affordability and uptake are as follows:
- Making broadband policy universal. By 2015, all countries should have a national broadband plan or strategy or include broadband in their Universal Access / Service Definitions.
- Making broadband affordable. By 2015, entry-level broadband services should be made affordable in developing countries through adequate regulation and market forces (for example, amount to less than 5% of average monthly income).
- Connecting homes to broadband. By 2015, 40% of households in developing countries should have Internet access.
- Getting people online. By 2015, Internet user penetration should reach 60% worldwide, 50% in developing countries and 15% in Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
The ITU has said it will measure each countries progress towards the targets and will each year produce a Broadband ranking report for the countries. The report will rank the countries according to price of broadband services, uptake and the implementation of broadband policies.
The Broadband Commission also endorsed a Broadband Challenge. You can download a copy here. The challenge recognises communication as a “Human Need and a Right” adding that it is vital that no one be excluded from the knowledge societies afforded by broadband technologies provide.
The Broadband Challenge also emphasizes the need for content that is relevant to the countries increasing getting more internet connectivity. The challenge document explains that there’s need for the development of “personalized applications and fully multilingual content to ensure that everyone finds their place in the global village online.”
Source: ITU News Release
Share
Home