ITU kicks off ‘Broadband Transforming Lives’ campaign in Davos

During the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU’s) Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development launched the ‘Broadband Transforming Lives’ campaign. The Commission also looked at new financing models that would help accelerate ‘meaningful universal connectivity’ and stressed that targeted efforts and collaboration between different stakeholders are required alongside innovative policies to finance the rollout of broadband infrastructure to unconnected populations. ‘We are on the verge of a new era that requires quick, effective and innovative financing instruments to connect the remaining unconnected. The old ways can no longer work in this era and we can no longer afford having anyone left behind,’ noted Minister of Information and Communications Technology and Innovation, Republic of Rwanda, Paula Ingabire. Additionally, the Commission investigated ways to address the digital investment gap, policies and incentives for investors, as well as other digital industry stakeholders and potential financing models to develop infrastructure.