​​​The Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development’s Working Group on Demand, which is chaired by the Commissioner, John Galvin, GM and Vice-President of Intel Corporation’s Government and Education group, launched a new report today, entitled
Enabling the use of ICTs and Broadband: Understanding what works to stimulate ICT adoption.

The report showcases the results of six case studies of different country-led programmes in Costa Rica, Colombia, India, Kenya, Senegal and South Korea. The programmes explored how to best stimulate ICT adoption and increase the use and impact of technologies and broadband in various communities and environments. The case studies provide a useful window into different ways to collaborate in order to get underserved populations online.

“Information and communication technologies are crucial in achieving all of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, because ICTs integrate and support all three pillars of sustainable development: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental sustainable,” said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao.

Launched at the conclusion of the ITU Telecom World plenary session, Reaching another billion: Understanding what works to stimulate ICT adoption, the Working Group on Demand report provides main lines for discussion for panelists representing the public, industry and civil society.

The report is a collaborative effort of several commissioners and Working Group members, resulting in a list of recommendations that can effectively lead to the enabling environment required to encourage more people to get online. The report said governments have a vested role in the solutions, and that the greatest positive benefits are achieved with public-private partnerships when all relevant stakeholders collaborate and leverage their respective expertise and resources and ultimately work together towards common goals.

The Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development was established in 2010 and comprises more than 50 leaders from across a range of government and industry sectors who are committed to actively assisting countries, UN experts and NGO teams to fully leverage the huge potential of ICTs to drive national SDG strategies in key areas like education, healthcare and environmental management.

About ITU

ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technologies, driving innovation in ICTs together with 193 Member States and a membership of over 700 private sector entities and academic institutions. Established over 150 years ago in 1865, ITU is the intergovernmental body responsible for coordinating the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoting international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, improving communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishing the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems. From broadband networks to cutting-edge wireless technologies, aeronautical and maritime navigation, radio astronomy, oceanographic and satellite-based earth monitoring as well as converging fixed-mobile phone, Internet and broadcasting technologies, ITU is committed to connecting the world. www.itu.int