UNESCO and Global Broadband Commission
ITU and UNESCO have launched at the WSIS Forum 2010 in Geneva a top level Broadband Commission for Digital Development.
The purpose of the Commission is to define strategies for accelerating broadband rollout worldwide and examine applications that could see broadband networks improve the delivery of a huge range of social services, from healthcare to education, environmental management, safety and much more.
The top level Broadband Commission for Digital Development is co-chaired by President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Telecom tycoon, Mr Carlos Slim Hélu.
ITU Secretary-General Mr Houlin Zhao and UNESCO Director-General, Ms Irina Bokova, serve as joint vice chairs.
The website for the Broadband Commission can be found at:http://www.broadbandcommission.org
Combatting Online Violence Against Women and Girls: A Worldwide Wake-Up Call
The State of Broadband 2015: broadband as a foundation for sustainable development
The State of Broadband 2014: broadband for all
The Broadband Commission’s annual The State of Broadband report was released on 21 September 2014 at the 10th Meeting of the Commission in New York.
The State of Broadband 2013: Universalizing Broadband
Released in New York at the 8th meeting of the Broadband Commission for Digital Development, the report reveals that mobile broadband subscriptions, which allow users to access the web via smartphones, tablets and WiFi-connected laptops, are growing at a rate of 30% per year. By the end of 2013 there will be more than three times as many mobile broadband connections as there are conventional fixed broadband subscriptions.
The State of Broadband 2012: Achieving Digital Inclusion for All
Launched at the sixth meeting of the Commission in New York City in September 2012, The State of Broadband 2012: Achieving Digital Inclusion for All report evaluates the roll-out of broadband around the world and tracks progress towards achieving the four advocacy targets set by the Commission in 2011 for boosting broadband affordability and uptake. It provides country rankings across up to 177 economies on economic impact, penetration, national broadband policy, and connecting people and dwellings.