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In 2022, the Broadband Commission and its members achieved new heights in their advocacy, with:

200+ Stakeholders engaged
18+ Events (hosted & attended)
11 Publications
7 Working Groups (completed and active)
45% increase in readership and engagement
& much more!

For more details, explore the 2022 Year in Review

Recent Reports on Connectivity

World leaders gathered in Bali at the G20 Summit in November, where the Digitalization Taskforce of the B20, the G20’s business engagement group, – Deputy Co-Chaired by Commissioner and CTO of Ericsson, Mr. Erik Ekudden – offered recommendations on how to make digital transformation a reality, touching on all seven of the Broadband Commission’s Advocacy Targets.

ITU’s Measuring digital development: Facts and figures 2022 offers a snapshot of the most important ICT indicators, including estimates for the current year.

The report covers trends in internet usage, the gender digital divide, youth internet use, subscriptions, affordability, skills and more!

“Satellite Connectivity: The Key to Digital Transformation in Africa,” a white paper commissioned by Intelsat and written by Jean-Philbert Nsengimana, addresses the digital divide as a priority for all African countries, and details the role satellite connectivity will play in providing solutions.

A new major Ericsson commissioned study, by management consulting firm Analysys Mason, highlights the potential economic, consumer and environmental benefits of 5G connectivity in 15 national emerging markets. With regulatory and government support, all 15 countries could benefit from GDP growth between 0.3 and 0.46% through 2035, with an estimated three-to-seven-fold cost-to-benefit ratio.

Broadband in the News

On the side-lines of MWC Africa, Broadband Commissioners from Smart Africa and MTN signed an MOU to advance digital skills in Africa in an effort to develop capacity for Africans to utilise ICTs and be fully empowered participants of an ICT-driven economy & society.

The International Trade Centre (ITC) has launched a new corporate initiative "Switch ON" which seeks to promote the increased adoption and inclusive access to digital tools and networks for trade. This initiative focuses its efforts on ensuring that investments in connectivity are prioritized and that the conditions are in place for the MSMEs in the developing world to profit from digital trade and entrepreneurialism.

ITU and UNESCO both participated in the recent WSIS Open Consultation Forum to discuss the WSIS Stocktaking process and its many activities, including 2023 Prizes, the third edition of the WSIS Healthy Ageing Innovation Prize, special prizes on Digital Service Design Prize, and Indigenous Languages Preservation and Revitalization.

The GSMA’s first in-person MWC Africa opened its doors in Kigali, Rwanda with a fireside chat between Commission Co-Chair H.E. Paul Kagame, the President of the Republic of Rwanda and Mats Granryd, Director General of GSMA and Broadband Commissioner.

From setting carbon emissions reduction targets with SBTi to creating mentorship opportunities with Glasswing to digital empowerment tools with Maestr@s Conectad@s to digital inclusion with Conectadas, Tigo continues its legacy of having purpose be an integral component to its business and a key driver of its strategy.

Nokia discusses its work under the United Nations Women Collaboration framework focused on increasing the representation of women in the tech industry and its Action for Leadership program in a recent podcast episode.

Broadband Commissioners from CST, South Africa, Ghana, Bharti Enterprises, Inmarsat, and Smart Africa spoke at this year's Connecting the World From the Skies an international forum to discuss airborne and spaceborne networks, from space, science, technology and policy perspectives.

Millicom (Tigo) is committed to building digital highways that connect people, improve lives, and develop communities. During the last two years, its program Maestr@s Conectad@s has been an essential part of fulfilling this mission- a way for people to access tools and platforms that will make their day-to-day life better and will empower communities through connectivity.

In a letter from the President of the General Assembly, the Global Digital Compact is referred to as an "important milestone in efforts to shape a shared vision on digital cooperation and develop principles for an open, free and secure digital future for all."

2022-2023 Event Calendar

For a full view of the events and plans for 2023 visit our official calendar.

Following a successful year marked with important Milestones including over 500 pledges and the mobilization of over US$28B for connectivity projects around the world, the Partner2Connect Digital Coalition is ready to present its achievements and report on progress the first Partner2Connect Annual Meeting on 8 December.

Every year, the EQUALS Global Partnership presents the #EQUALSinTech Awards to initiatives, projects, movements, organizations and institutions around the world working to bridge the gender digital divide. Winners will be announced at the 2022 EQUALS in Tech Awards ceremony on 8 December.

WEF Davos
16 - 20 January

WSIS
13 - 17 March

MWC Barcelona
28 February - 3 March

HLPF
10 - 19 July

Spring Meeting
2023

UNGA
12 - 30 December