International Telecommunication Union Committed to Connecting the World Global and Regional Broadband trends Workshop on Regulatory policies on universal access to broadband services ITU-D Study Group 1, Question 7-2/1 ITU Headquarters, Geneva 8 September 2008 Susan Teltscher, Ph.D. Head, Market Information and Statistics Division International Telecommunication Union

April 2008 Committed to Connecting the World 2 This presentation Global and regional ICT trends Digital divide and broadband B4D applications Spotlight on Asia-Pacific

April 2008 Committed to Connecting the World 3 Fixed telephony

April 2008 Committed to Connecting the World 4 Fixed telephony 1.2 billion phone lines in % in developing countries Highest increase in Asia Overall global stagnation

April 2008 Committed to Connecting the World 5 Mobile telephony

April 2008 Committed to Connecting the World 6 Mobile telephony 3.3 billion mobile subscribers Steep growth in developing countries (incl. Africa) Single most widespread ICT Half of the worlds population have mobile telephony Rich countries: >100% penetration

April 2008 Committed to Connecting the World 7 Internet users

April 2008 Committed to Connecting the World 8 Internet users 1.3 billion Internet users Half of the worlds Internet users are in developing countries (mainly Asia) But only 12 per 100 inhabitants in developing countries use Internet

April 2008 Committed to Connecting the World 9 Broadband: high-speed Internet connection International speed threshold: 256 kbps Mainly fixed lines Trend: Mobile broadband – 3G, WiMAX, Wi-Fi

April 2008 Committed to Connecting the World 10 Broadband divide: fixed

April 2008 Committed to Connecting the World 11 Broadband divide: fixed 346 million subscribers Large divide – poor countries yet to catch up in growth Steepest growth in Europe/developed countries

April 2008 Committed to Connecting the World 12 Broadband divide: mobile

April 2008 Committed to Connecting the World 13 Broadband divide: mobile 200 million subscribers A few Asian countries are at the forefront Steep growth in developed countries – increasing global divide In developing countries still insignificant – important policy implications

April 2008 Committed to Connecting the World 14 Broadband champions Source: ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators database. Source: Fiber-to-the-Home Council. Top 10 economies by FTTH/LAN household penetration, 2007 Top 10 economies by broadband household penetration, 2007

April 2008 Committed to Connecting the World 15 Benefits of broadband Broadband makes the Internet always available at a fast speed: Companies can keep websites up and running 24x7 and can deliver products & services in real time, anywhere in the world. Individuals enjoy a faster and more pleasant Internet surfing experience and the ability to use bandwidth- intensive applications (e.g., VoIP, IPTV). Broadband enhances a range of socially desirable and valuable online services in areas such as government, education and health.

April 2008 Committed to Connecting the World 16 Broadband for Development (B4D) applications Education: online distance learning Business: e-commerce, e-banking, ICT- enabled services/BPO Health: access to medical information in rural/underserved areas Government: e-procurement, online tax filing, e-voting Environment: disaster management

April 2008 Committed to Connecting the World 17 Spotlight on Asia-Pacific Launched 1 September 2008 Broadband: -trends -technologies -divide -policies Statistical tables Directory of national ICT/telecom organizations

April 2008 Committed to Connecting the World 18 Broadband Divide: Speed Source: ITU. Note: The range of speeds show the advertised lowest and highest speed consumer broadband plan offered using DSL technology. Higher speed, mass market broadband plans using fiber optic connections are available in several high-income economies, with speeds from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps. For Bangladesh, speeds refer to a cable modem plan. Mbps

April 2008 Committed to Connecting the World 19 Broadband Divide: Price Monthly broadband prices in Asia-Pacific, minimum 256 kbps, US$, July 2008 Source: ITU High cost of international fibre & scarcity of international bandwidth Lack of competition & barriers for new entrants

April 2008 Committed to Connecting the World 20 Mobile browsing Source: Adapted from Nielsen Mobile. A growing number of users in developing countries are using mobile phone as browser to access Internet

April 2008 Committed to Connecting the World 21 Broadband divide: too much - too little High-income economies Ubiquitous, ultra-high speed access at ever lower price IP-based voice and video applications and 3G mobile use Fixed and mobile technologies complement each other so that many users enjoy uninterrupted high-speed connectivity Low-income economies Bandwidth deprived Low-speed ICT access Mobile phones have become a substitute for fixed lines and fixed broadband access, fulfilling data needs Internet cafes to provide higher speed, PC-based access B4D: Low-income economies should not be complacent about broadband. High-speed connectivity is crucial for many applications that can be important development-enablers.

April 2008 Committed to Connecting the World 22 Recommendations Recognize importance of broadband; formulate national plans, including specific targets Award licenses and spectrum for wireless broadband technologies (3G, WiMAX) Open up the broadband market to new operators and stimulate competition to lower prices Create investment incentives in telecom sector Utilize universal service funds to bring broadband to rural and underserved areas Promote development of local content Encourage convergence and the transition to NGN including adoption of regulations allowing the use of voice and video over broadband networks.

April 2008 Committed to Connecting the World 23 More Information ITU Statistics ITU Publications Questions