Digital Divide Progress Report: 15 Year Review

[Commentary] The information communications technology (ICT) industry has experienced incredible growth over the past 15 years. In 2000, there were 400 million global Internet users; today there are 3.2 billion. There are more than 7 billion mobile cellular subscriptions worldwide today, up from 738 million in 2000. In 2014, the price of a basic (fixed or mobile) broadband plan was less than 5 per cent of the average Gross National Income (GNI) per capita in 111 countries, meeting targets set out by the Broadband Commission. Personal ICTs from laptops to mobile handsets continue to innovate year-on-year.

These new figures not only show the rapid technological progress made to date, but also help us to identify those being left behind in the rapidly evolving digital economy, as well as areas where ICT investment is needed most. In order to close the growing digital divide, we must ensure that we create an enabling environment for the growth of ICTs by strengthening mutually reinforcing functions: investment in infrastructure, ICT education and training, ensuring market competition, developing robust policies and regulation, and cultivating diverse applications and content. These tasks will take on greater importance as ICTs play a significant role in achieving the post-2015 sustainable development goals as the world moves towards a digital society.