ESOA welcomes UN Broadband Commission's “Connecting the Other Half” Targets

23 January 2018

ESOA believes that current and planned satellite systems - both geostationary (GEO) and non-geostationary (NGSO) will be essential to achieving the targets set by the UN Broadband Commission on an affordable basis and in the shortest timeframe.

Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development 2025 Targets:

1. By 2025, all countries should have a funded national broadband plan or strategy, or include broadband in their universal access and services definition.
2. By 2025, entry-level broadband services should be made affordable in developing countries, at less than 2% of monthly gross national income per capita.
3. By 2025 broadband / Internet user penetration should reach: 75% worldwide, 65% in developing countries, and 35% in least developed countries.
4. By 2025, 60% of youth and adults should have achieved at least a minimum level of proficiency in sustainable digital skills.
5. By 2025, 40% of the world’s population should be using digital financial services.
6. By 2025, unconnectedness of Micro-, Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises should be reduced by 50%, by sector.
7. By 2025, gender equality should be achieved across all targets.

The Broadband targets fit with the outcomes of the ITU's World Telecom Development Conference held earlier this year in Argentina, where in direct acknowledgement to the immediacy of satellite connectivity, Member States recognised the fact that ‘timely’ access to connectivity offers opportunities for boosting productivity and efficiency to end poverty.

ESOA members and their satellite service provider partners look forward to cooperating with governments in emerging and developed economies alike in enabling the timely achievement of these goals in all ITU Member States.

Read more: https://www.esoa.net/services/development.asp

▶︎ ITU Broadband Commission_WG Technologies in Space Report_09172017.pdf