Do Four Ps Spell Broadband for All?
September 24, 2010 On September 19, the Broadband Commission for Digital Development — a group of government officials from around the world, UN agency chiefs and telecom heavyweights — gathered in New York to call for broadband access for all. According to the report that they presented to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, broadband connectivity is essential for economic growth and social development and should be recognized as a basic human right. The Commission’s goal is to achieve 50% coverage worldwide by 2015. The strategy may be summarized in four Ps: Public and Private Partnership for People. Broadband Commission for Digital Development I believe we witnessed a unique moment. Commissioners did not limit themselves to political declarations. The second part of their report, entitled “Broadband: a Platform for Progress,” provides detailed strategies for boosting network growth. It includes recommendations in areas such as spectrum harmonization, interconnectivity and sharing of i
