New research highlights how to rebuild with broadband after crisis hits.
Addis Ababa, 7 December 2022 – The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) released “Build back better with broadband,” a report featuring information on how communities can rebuild with resilient digital infrastructure, at the 17th Internet Governance Forum (IGF).
Alongside the report, ITU, the UN specialized agency for information and communication technologies, presented 15 companion research papers highlighting actions for improving digital livelihoods in the wake of crisis.
Taken together, the publications underscore the importance of meaningful connectivity as well as the technological solutions, policy and regulatory approaches, and capacity-building requirements to accelerate digital access in rebuilding efforts.
“Recovery from crisis is challenging but can also provide the opportunity to build back better with digital technologies,” said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao. “Broadband approaches that are resilient and inclusive should be at the centre of efforts to rebuild telecommunications infrastructure after crisis hits.”
ITU’s Connect 2Recover is a global initiative established in 2020 to help countries rebound from COVID-19 by expanding access to affordable and reliable connectivity.
“Expanding access to affordable and reliable digital connectivity is an essential part of strategies for COVID-19 recovery and enhancing resilience,” said Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau and the organization’s Secretary-General-elect. “Hopefully, the findings from this research can support programmes that increase access, adoption, affordability, and resiliency of broadband services in rebuilding efforts and as we seek to connect the 2.7 billion that remain offline.”
For more information, visit https://www.itu.int/en/mediacentre/Pages/MC-2022-12-6-rebuild-broadband-after-crisis-hits.aspx
For the “Build back better with broadband” report, visit https://www.itu.int/pub/D-TND-08-2022 or visit the Connect2Recover website.
