New data: What’s the price of 1GB of mobile broadband across LMICs?
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How much does 1GB of mobile broadband data cost around the world? Our new data provides the most up-to-date look at the prices across 60 low- and middle-income countries.
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US$400 million of funding to expand internet access sitting dormant
The Web Foundation, the Alliance for Affordable Internet and UN Women are calling on governments to invest at least 50% of funds collected for expanding connectivity in projects targeting women’s internet access and use. READ THE REPORT
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Mobile Broadband Price Database
What is the price of broadband across the developing world? Our new data — released in September 2018 — looks at the cost to purchase 1GB of mobile broadband across 60 low- and middle-income countries. EXPLORE THE LATEST DATA
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2017 Affordability Report & Regional Snapshots
A4AI's 2017 Affordability Report examines the state of policy progress toward affordable internet across 58 low- and middle-income countries. A series of short reports offer additional insight into the progress being made by region. READ THE 2017 REPORTS
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Adopting a “1 for 2” Affordability Target
Closing the growing digital divide and achieving universal access means we must work toward a more ambitious affordability target: 1GB of mobile data priced at 2% or less of average monthly income. LEARN WHY
The Alliance for Affordable Internet
...is a coalition of private sector, public sector, and civil society organisations who have come together to advance the shared aim of affordable access to both mobile and fixed-line Internet in developing countries.
Alliance for Affordable Internet Members
The Africa Information & Communication Technologies Alliance (AfICTA) is a private sector led alliance of ICT Associations, Multi-national Corporations, Companies, Organisations and Institutions in the ICT sector in Africa. AfICTA's vision is to fulfill the promise of the digital age for everyone in Africa.
Its mission is to encourage multi-stakeholder dialogue fostering, accelerated and ICT-enabled development in Africa and the use of cutting-edge innovative technologies including mobile, computing and satellite technologies to achieve an Information society in Africa. For more info please visit http://aficta.org/.
The African Technology Foundation (ATF) exists to globalize African technologies and introduce global technologies to the African ecosystem. To achieve this, ATF supports a broad range of initiatives around key economic sectors, and is committed to providing African technology startups and enterprises with the necessary knowledge and resources that empower them to raise the economic profiles of their communities, municipalities and countries. For more information visit www.thea25n.com.
APC believes the internet is a global public good. Founded in 1990, APC is an international network and non-profit organisation that wants everyone to have access to a free and open internet to improve our lives and create a more just world. APC helps people get access to the internet where there is none or it is unaffordable, helps grassroots
groups use the technology to develop their communities and further their rights, and works to make sure that government policies related to information and communication serve the best interests of the general population, especially people living in developing countries.
For more information, visit: http://www.apc.org
The Centre for Internet and Society undertakes policy research on Accessibility and Inclusion, Access to Knowledge, Internet Governance and Telecom, and academic research on Digital Natives and Digital Humanities.
For more, visit www.cis-india.org
Founded in 2003, the Center for Technology and Society of the Getulio Vargas Foundation (CTS/FGV) aims to study the legal, social and cultural implications of information and communication technologies. The Center combines theoretical analysis with policy-oriented work, producing academic research and papers that may impact on the development of public policies, so they will uphold democracy, fundamental rights and the public interest. For more information, visit http://direitorio.fgv.br/cts.
The Center of Studies on Information and Communication Technologies (CETIC.br) has consolidated its position as a reference center for the production of indicators and statistics on the use of information and communication technologies in Brazil. It publishes periodic specialized surveys and reports on the use of information and communications technologies – ICTs and the Internet by several segments of society. The results of these surveys are critical to monitor and assess the social and economical impact of ICTs and also to allow the comparison between the realities in Brazil and other countries.
CETIC.br was set up in Brazil under the auspices of UNESCO and is hosted by the Brazilian Network Information Center (NIC.br). It is UNESCO's first center of studies on the information society. Visit http://cetic.br for more information.
The Cherie Blair Foundation for Women provides women entrepreneurs in developing and emerging markets with the skills, technology, networks and access to finance that they need to become successful small and growing business owners, so that they can contribute to their economies and have a stronger voice in their societies. Working in partnership with local and international non-profit organisations, the private and public sector, the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women develops projects with sustainable solutions to the challenges women entrepreneurs face through three programmes: Enterprise Development, Mentoring and Mobile Technology.
To learn more, visit: www.cherieblairfoundation.org
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in IT that helps companies seize the opportunities of tomorrow by proving that amazing things can happen when you connect the previously unconnected.
For more information, visit: www.thenetwork.cisco.com
The CTO is the oldest and largest Commonwealth membership organisation in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), and uses its experience and expertise to support members in using ICTs to deliver effective development interventions that enrich, empower and emancipate all peoples within the Commonwealth and beyond.
For more information, visit: www.cto.int/
The Regional Telecommunications Commission of Central America (COMTELCA)coordinates and promotes the integration and development of telecommunications in Central America and around the world.
With over 240 Member organisations in 120 countries, we are building a powerful international movement to help protect and empower consumers everywhere.
For more information, visit: www.consumersinternational.org
Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), a Delhi based not-for-profit organization, registered under Societies Act XXI of 1860 in 2002, works at the grassroots of India to create economic and commercial viability using means of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT). DEF works with communities in rural and semi-urban areas, in India and South Asia, who live at the edge of information and economic benefit; DEF envisions bridging the digital divide at the grassroots level and, thereby, delivering socio-economical benefits of ICT to the grassroots communities. Visit http://defindia.org for more information.
Digital Empowerment Initiative for Eastern Africa (DEIEA) is a nonprofit organisation working to finding sustainable Information Communication Technology (ICT) solutions, including new media to address digital divide in underserved and unreached communities in Eastern Africa.
Department of State Mission Statement:
Advance freedom for the benefit of the American people and the international community by helping to build and sustain a more democratic, secure, and prosperous world composed of well-governed states that respond to the needs of their people, reduce widespread poverty, and act responsibly within the international system.
For more information, visit:
www.state.gov
Digital Society Foundation has a mission to close the digital divide. The organization is working with developing and disadvantaged communities to harness technology and innovation for economic and social well-being. Its current initiative Connect the Blue Continent is supporting the Pacific Island region to increase the coverage of affordable broadband-speed internet access, skills development and systems inclusion to enable economic and social participation in the digital economy and digitally-enabled social developments in health services, education and other sectors. Learn more about Digital Society Foundation and the Connect the Blue Continent initiative at www.digitalsocietyfoundation.org and www.connect-the-blue-continent.net
DIRSI is a network of researchers and institutions specialized in
ICT policy and research in Latin America. We conduct research, publish
and distribute papers and reports, and facilitate dialogue on ICT
policy, regulation and governance in Latin America.
For more information, visit: www.dirsi.net/
ECOWAS is a 15 Member State regional group with a mandate of promoting economic integration in all fields of activity of the constituting countries. It was set up to foster the ideal of collective self-sufficiency for its Member States. For more information, visit: www.ecowas.int
Ericsson is the leading provider of telecommunications equipment and services to mobile and fixed network operators. Over 1,000 networks use our equipment, which handles over 40% of the world's mobile traffic.
For more information, visit: www.ericsson.com
Founded in 2004, Facebook’s mission is to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected. People use Facebook to stay connected with friends and family, to discover what’s going on in the world, and to share and express what matters to them. In 2013, Facebook announced the launch of internet.org, a global partnership with the goal of making internet access available to the next 5 billion people.
FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Its staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender equality, youth, research and technology — creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories. Visit www.fhi360.org for more information.
Fundación Taigüey is a non-governmental and not-for-profit organization, founded in 2003 and legally established in the Dominican Republic. Its mission is “to promote, implement, support and assess social transformation processes at the community level, promoting participative methodologies and the use of appropriate technologies." It works both at the grassroots level, and facilitating national and regional knowledge networking processes. For more information, visit http://taiguey.org
Global Partners Digital is partnering with progressive governments and civil society advocates globally to build an internet environment based on and governed by human rights principles.
For more information, please visit www.global-partners.co.uk
Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful.
For more information, visit www.google.com/about
Grameen Foundation helps the world’s poorest people reach their full potential, connecting their determination and skills to the resources they need. Founded in 1997, it provides access to financial services and information on agriculture and health that respond to the specific needs of poor households and communities. It also develops tools to improve the effectiveness of poverty-focused organizations.
For more information, visit:
www.grameenfoundation.org/
The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 800 operators with almost 300 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress, Mobile World Congress Shanghai, Mobile World Congress Americas and the Mobile 360 Series of conferences.
For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.
Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. With integrated solutions across four key domains – telecom networks, IT, smart devices, and cloud services – Huawei is committed to bringing digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world.
For more information, visit www.huawei.com
Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) is a world leader in computing innovation. The company designs and builds the essential technologies that serve as the foundation for the world’s computing devices. Additional information about Intel is available at newsroom.intel.com and blogs.intel.com
The Internet Society is the trusted independent source for Internet information and thought leadership from around the world. With its principled vision and substantial technological foundation, the Internet Society promotes open dialogue on Internet policy, technology, and future development among users, companies, governments, and other organizations. Working with its members and Chapters around the world, the Internet Society enables the continued evolution and growth of the Internet for everyone.
For more information, visit: www.internetsociety.org
Internet Solutions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dimension Data. The company is Southern Africa’s most established and experienced Internet Service Provider. Since 1993 Internet Solutions has been providing innovative end-to-end connectivity solutions and related services across the African continent. Today IS is a provider of Internet Protocol-based technology services in the African market and for African clients into the global market. IS provides services to large public and private sector organisations, medium sized organisations, and through its value channel programme to smaller organisations and consumers. For more information, visit www.is.co.za .
Internet Without Borders is a Paris based NGO that defends open access to the Internet and Human Rights on the digital space. The organization advocates for a reduction in the cost of Internet access in the Gulf of Guinea. Since 2007, Internet Without Borders fosters the use of Internet as a tool for change, by creating Feowl, an open data platform, and by organizing several trainings in data journalism. Concerned by the security of personal data, Internet Without Borders is a founding member of Datarmine, a privacy tool for social networks. Visit http://www.internetsansfrontieres.org for more information.
Internews is an international non-profit organization whose mission is to empower local media worldwide to give people the news and information they need, the ability to connect and the means to make their voices heard. Internews ICT Policy and Programs team engages in 20+ countries supporting the development and growth of open internet and telecommunications policies that enable and sustain access, and promote the most open possible designs of the internet for healthy economies and healthy societies. We believe that Internews’ contributions to promoting quality and scaled local information globally are entirely reliant on a future that ensures quality accessible, affordable access to the internet. For more information, visit www.internews.org
Inveneo is a San Francisco-based non-profit social enterprise that designs and delivers sustainable computing and broadband Internet connectivity in the developing world.
For more information, visit: www.inveneo.org
IREX is an international nonprofit organization providing thought leadership and innovative programs to promote positive lasting change globally.
We enable local individuals and institutions to build key elements of a vibrant society: quality education, independent media, and strong communities. To strengthen these sectors, our program activities also include conflict resolution, technology for development, gender, and youth.
Founded in 1968, IREX has an annual portfolio of over $70 million and a staff of over 400 professionals worldwide. IREX employs field-tested methods and innovative uses of technologies to develop practical and locally-driven solutions with our partners in more than 100 countries.
For more information, visit: www.irex.org
LIRNEasia is a pro-poor, pro-market think tank. It's mission is catalyzing policy change through research to improve people's lives in the emerging Asia Pacific by facilitating their use of hard and soft infrastructures through the use of knowledge, information and technology. Visit http://www.lirneasia.net to learn more.
Main One is a leading provider of innovative telecom services and network solutions for businesses in
West Africa. Our world-class infrastructure enhances the productivity and profitability of our customers.
For more information, visit: www.mainonecable.com/
Mercy Corps is a leading global humanitarian agency saving and improving lives in the world's toughest places. Disaster. Poverty. Conflict. Mercy Corps is there. In more than 40 countries, it partners with local people to put bold ideas into action, helping them conquer adversity, and build stronger communities. Now, and for the future. Visit http://www.mercycorps.org to learn more.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services, and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
For more information, visit: www.microsoft.com
In the struggle for freedom, democracy and development, the access of individuals to the free flow of information through freedom of speech and information is both necessary and effective.
Sweden is pushing for the right and opportunity of all people to communicate openly and securely on the internet and expects that the same human rights apply online as offline.
The internet is the new frontline in efforts for increased freedom in the world. This is why Sweden is pursuing an active broadband and IT policy to maximise broadband availability and the benefits of information technology and digitisation.
For more information, see the Ministry for Foreign Affairs website: http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/1475
Ghana was the second African country to join the Alliance for Affordable Internet, and a memorandum of understanding was signed between A4AI and the Ministry of Communications in October 2013. The Ministry of Communications facilitates the development of a reliable and cost effective world-class communications infrastructure and services, driven by appropriate technological innovations to enhance the promotion of economic competitiveness in a knowledge-based environment. Visit http://www.moc.gov.gh for more information about the Ministry.
Nigeria was the first African country to join the Alliance for Affordable Internet, and a memorandum of understanding was signed between A4AI and the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology in October 2013.
The Ministry of Communication Technology is a Ministry created by the administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to foster a knowledge based economy and information society in Nigeria. The Ministry was created to facilitate ICT as a key tool in the transformation agenda for Nigeria in the areas of job creation, economic growth and transparency of governance.
Mrs. Omobola Olubusola Johnson, is the pioneer Minister of the Ministry. The Ministry under her watch will create and formulate policies that will propel the Nigerian economy to a digitalized economy. For more information, visit the Ministry's website at http://commtech.gov.ng
Mozambique was the first country in Southern Africa country to join the Alliance for Affordable Internet, and a memorandum of understanding was signed between A4AI and the Ministry of Transport and Communications in April 2014. For more information, visit the Ministry's website at http://www.mtc.gov.mz.
Myanmar was the first country in Asia to join the Alliance for Affordable Internet, and a memorandum of understanding was signed between A4AI and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in March 2015. For more information about the ministry, visit http://mcit.gov.mm.
The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), a technical body of the African Union, aims to eradicate poverty and foster Africa's sustainable growth and development through the promotion of regional and continental integration; halt the marginalization of Africa in global processes and enhance its full and beneficial integration into the global economy; and accelerate the empowerment of socially disadvantaged groups, such as women and children. You can find out more about NEPAD at http://nepad.org/.
The National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) is a government agency responsible for the regulation and licensing of information and communication technology (ICT) in Papua New Guinea. As the sole converged regulator and licensing authority of the ICT industry in PNG, NICTA is responsible for the broadcasting, radiocommunications and telecommunications sectors.
The mission of the Institute for Technology & Society (ITS) is to ensure that Brazil and the Global South respond creatively and appropriately to the opportunities provided by technology in the digital age, and that the potential benefits are broadly shared across society. ITS is a non-profit think-tank, affiliated with the Rio de Janeiro State University. The ITS team, for more than 10 years, has developed the expertise of analyze the legal, social, economic and cultural dimensions of technology and advocate for public policies and private practices which promote privacy, freedom of expression and connectivity. Visit http://www.itsrio.org for more information.
The Southern Africa Telecentre Network (SATNET) is a regional non-governmental organisation, knowledge sharing network established by
civil society organisations to support institutional and capacity
development of telecentre/ information incubators in Southern Africa.
SATNET promotes increased use and integration of information and
communication technologies (ICT) as enabling tools to achieve social
and economic development including achievement of goals of poverty
reduction in Southern Africa. For more information, visit: http://www.satnetwork.org
Sida is a government agency working on behalf of the Swedish parliament and government, with the mission to reduce poverty in the world.
For more information, visit www.sida.se/English/About-us/
Sulá Batsú is a cooperative, founded in 2005, focused on the solidarity economy. It aims to encourage and strengthen local development by working with organizations, social enterprises, community networks and social movements at a national, regional and global level. Sulá Batsú approaches this goal through different lines of work: digital technologies, art and culture, collective construction, management of knowledge and the solidarity economy.
Telecentre.org Foundation is a global, non-profit organization that supports the establishment and sustainability of grassroots level telecentres. These telecentres – public places of access to the Internet and other digital technologies that help promote personal and social development – offer crucial services, skills and opportunities to people living in remote and rural locations around the world. For more information, visit www.telecentre.org.
The Department for International Development (DFID) leads the UK’s work to end extreme poverty. We're ending the need for aid by creating jobs, unlocking the potential of girls and women and helping to save lives when humanitarian emergencies hit. To find out more, visit our website here.
UN Women is the organization within the United Nations System responsible for promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. It works in over 80 countries and with governments, UN partners, civil society and private sector partners to advance women’s rights through advocacy, policy and concrete actions on the ground. UN Women focuses on women’s economic empowerment, ending violence against women and women’s political participation and leadership. ICT for development is a cross-cutting area of work and critical to women’s empowerment in the digital age. UN Women is committed to ensuring that women are actively leading, contributing to and benefitting from the digital revolution. For more information, visit http://www.unwomen.org
The United Nations University Institute on Computing and Society (UNU-CS) is a new research institute at the intersections of information and communication technologies and international development (ICTD). Located in Macau SAR, China, UNU-CS focuses on the key challenges faced by developing societies through high-impact innovations in computing and communication technologies.
USAID’s Digital Development team harnesses the power and reach of digital technology to empower individuals through financial inclusion, data-driven evidence and access to digital technology.
For more information, visit: www.usaid.gov/digital-development
The West Africa Telecommunication Regulators Assembly (WATRA) was established in November 2004. Its current membership is 15 countries with headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria. WATRA consists of independent National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) and departments for regulation of Telecommunications services established by governments of member states in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sub-region and Mauritania.
WATRA aims to promote rapid and even development of telecommunications in West Africa towards attaining globally competitive standards while facilitating accelerated development of telecommunications infrastructure and provision of services at affordable rates in the sub-region and encourage standardisation and harmonisation of policy, legal and regulatory framework.
Established by Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the World Wide Web Foundation seeks to establish the open Web as a global public good and a basic right, creating a world where everyone, everywhere can use the Web to communicate, collaborate and innovate freely. The World Wide Web Foundation serves as the Secretariat for A4AI.
To learn more, visit: www.webfoundation.org
Women in Global Science and Technology is an international non-profit which promotes women's development of science, technology and innovation. It believes that women should have equal access to technologies and participate fully in the knowledge society. For more information, visit: www.wisat.org/home
World Pulse is a global network using the power of digital media to connect women worldwide and bring them a global voice. The network uses digital media to lift and unite women’s voices to accelerate their impact for the world. Visit http://www.worldpulse.com for more information.
The World Bank plays a key role in the global effort to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity in poor and middle-income countries. We offer financing, policy advice, research and analysis, and technical assistance to help countries address the most urgent challenges of development. Comprising the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association, we work closely with other World Bank Group institutions and a wide array of partners in more than 170 member countries.
Youth for Technology Foundation (YTF) is an innovative non-profit
organization focused on using the power of technology to transform the
lives of youth and women living in developing countries. YTF’s strength
lies in its ability to access market demands, design developmental
programs and provide linkages that accelerate customized ICT and
entrepreneurship training programs.
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Dr Omobola Johnson stepping down as Honorary Chair of A4AI
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After three years as Honorary Chair of A4AI, Dr Omobola Johnson will be leaving this role in October 2018, at which point she will fully assume a new role on the Web Foundation Board of Directors. Omobola will continue to fulfill her role as A4AI Honorary Chair until that time, and will assist in the process to select a new Chair, to be announced later this year.
As democracy goes digital, those offline are being pushed out of politics
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Political participation is increasingly moving into the online space. Those online have access to an increasingly sophisticated set of tools to learn about candidates, participate in political discussions, and make their voices heard. But what does this mean for those citizens who don’t have access to the internet?
