Universal broadband

Affordable meaningful connectivity has emerged as a cornerstone of the CTO's mission, recognizing its transformative potential for global development. This focus is particularly relevant in an era where smartphone adoption outpaces personal computer usage in numerous countries.

 

The CTO actively engages with diverse stakeholders to facilitate the swift and effective deployment of affordable, meaningful broadband. Their emphasis on mobile infrastructure and devices stems from the potential to rapidly expand broadband access to a vast population.

 

Drawing on its extensive expertise and experience, the CTO has successfully:

• Organized international conferences

• Delivered capacity development training programs

• Conducted numerous research projects

These initiatives underscore the CTO's commitment to bridging the digital divide and fostering inclusive technological advancement globally.

 

Over the years, the CTO has provided technical support to a wide range of governments and regulators in designing and implementing universal service and access frameworks, including:

• Defining legal and policy aspects relating to universal service

• Analysing rural and low-access telecommunications market segment

• Delivering demand studies and quantification of access gaps

• Developing sustainable budgetary and funding mechanisms

• Setting up institutional frameworks for administering and monitoring universal service funds

• Developing operational parameters of funds, including formal guidelines, procedures, etc

• Designing and helping to implement universal access pilot projects.