The Broadband Commission for Digital Development has agreed four new targets for global broadband development to ensure that all people can participate in the benefits that arise from broadband access.

Four targets to change the nature of global broadband
The four targets which cover areas relating to national broadband policy, affordability and uptake include firstly, a call for all countries to develop a broadband strategy by 2015. Secondly, an aim to make sure that broadband services are affordable. The Commission refers to a level that is less than 5% of average monthly income. Thirdly, it wants 40% of households in developing countries to have broadband access by 2015. Finally, the Commission is aiming for internet penetration to reach 60% worldwide by 2015, and 50% in developing countries.

Targets will require both public and private sector development
The Commission, co-chaired by Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, and Carlos Slim Helú, CEO of Telmex, has described the targets as ‘ambitious but achievable’ and hope that partnerships betweeen governments and the private sector will lead to their completion. The International Telecommunication Union will measure each countries progress towards reaching the targets and plan to produce an annual broadband report with rankings of each country in terms of broadband policy, affordability and uptake to aid in the monitoring process.

Tags: broadband, Broadband Commission, ITU