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Governor of CST. "Such a dramatic worldwide, particularly in lower- Blueprint highlights, global progress
increase underscores the urgency for income regions, can afford to on connectivity has been uneven,
international cooperation, collective connect and stay online. with the world's 46 least-developed
investment, and the sharing of 3. Digital skills – USD 152 billion: countries lagging significantly
expertise if we are to achieve the Connectivity alone is not enough — due to financing barriers, limited
vision of universal, meaningful people must have the skills to use technical expertise, and unreliable
connectivity for all." the Internet effectively. Investments infrastructure.
to fund large-scale digital literacy
Key costs highlighted in the report initiatives can empower individuals To address these challenges, ITU calls
include: to access online education, secure for innovative business approaches
1. Digital infrastructure – USD better jobs, and actively participate and renewed collaboration between
1.5 trillion to USD 1.7 trillion: in a digitally-driven society. governments, the tech industry,
Expanding broadband networks 4. Policy and regulation – USD 600 development finance institutions, and
to underserved populations million: Modernizing regulations civil society, to close current divides
represents the single largest and creating predictable policy and prevent future ones, particularly
cost. The report estimates the environments worldwide are in fields like artificial intelligence (AI).
costs of deploying fibre networks essential to unlock efficiencies
in and around urban areas, 4G and promote innovation. While The report concludes with
fixed wireless in rural regions, this represents the smallest cost recommendations to accelerate
and satellites in the most remote component, it holds back digital digital inclusion worldwide, including
locations. transformation and sustains the using schools as gateways to Internet
2. Affordability – USD 983 billion: other gaps. The impact of closing it access, investing in energy
Reducing the cost of smartphones would be massive. infrastructure in Africa, and enhancing
and broadband services — both data collection at the sub-national
fixed and mobile — is vital so Public-private collaboration needed level.
that individuals and households As the Connecting Humanity Action
Source: ITU, based on methodology described in detail in the Appendix
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