Session
Organizer 1: Ansari Omar, APNIC Foundation
Organizer 2: Lima Madomi, 🔒UNIGe
Speaker 1: Mahesh Uppal
Speaker 2: Maria Beebe, Private Sector, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 3: Jimson Olufuye
Speaker 4: Mohamed Shareef
Speaker 5: Shernon Osepa
The panel speakers include:
- Mahesh Uppal, Director, ComFirst Pvt Limited, AP
- Jimson Olufuye, Principal Consultant, Kontemporary Konsulting Ltd, Africa
- Mohamed Shareef, Director of Government & Int. Relations, OXIQA- Enterprise, AP
- Dr. Maria Beebe, Consultant, IDG/Asia Open RAN Academy, WEOG
- Shernon Osepa, Telecom/Internet Operations & Policy Strategist, GRULAC
Ansari Omar, Technical Community, Asia-Pacific Group
Lima Madomi, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Lima Madomi, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Classroom
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: The reasons for choosing classroom theater is: 1. This layout will place our speakers at the front, with participants seated in rows facing forward and being able to see presentations easily. 2. We might have a larger group of audiences, which we believe this layout can accommodate better, allowing more people to attend the session. 3. Our session involves speakers delivering presentations and this layout will provide a clear view of the speaker and presentation materials. 4. This layout will also provide a more structured environment to our session where we primarily focus on information dissemination and discussion.
1. How can the offline developing world’s policymakers adapt regulatory frameworks to promote innovation and investment in digital infrastructure while ensuring consumer protection and privacy rights? 2. What strategies can be implemented to address the digital divide and ensure equitable access to Internet connectivity, particularly in underserved communities and rural areas? 3. How can regional cooperation initiatives be strengthened to foster collaboration among neighboring countries in addressing shared challenges and accelerating efforts towards universal Internet access and digital inclusion?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants in our session will: - Gain valuable insights into the multifaceted challenges hindering Internet connectivity in the developing world and actionable strategies to address them. - Deepen their understanding of existing disparities in Internet access, including infrastructure limitations, digital literacy gaps, and affordability issues. - Learn about the effectiveness of current policy frameworks in promoting connectivity and digital inclusion and explore innovative technologies like fiber, wireless, satellite, and community networks that can extend Internet access to underserved communities. - Discover the importance of public-private partnerships and regional cooperation initiatives in accelerating connectivity efforts. Identify opportunities for stakeholder engagement and resource mobilization. - Learn best practices and successful initiatives and be equipped with new knowledge, insights, and tools to drive efforts towards universal Internet access and digital inclusion in the regions.
Description:
According to ITU, approximately 2.6 billion people worldwide are still offline. Most of these individuals reside in the developing world, with South Asia accounting for 57% of the world’s offline population. Notably, in six of the South Asian economies, over 50% of the population lacks Internet access: Afghanistan (82%), Pakistan (79%), Bangladesh (61%), Sri Lanka (56%), India (54%), and Nepal (50.4%). Other regions with significant offline population include Nigeria (54.5%), Indonesia (33.5%) and China (23.6%). Asia alone harbors 1.92b offline people making it the most offline region globally. These regions are characterized by diverse Internet landscapes, with each economy contributing to digital evolution. However, despite shared aspirations for digital transformation, they face distinct challenges in skill, investment, regulations, infrastructure, and regional collaboration. Skill shortages and training gaps hinder progress, while inadequate investment and regulations slow infrastructure expansion and market competition. APNIC Foundation’s Digital Leap South Asia Project proposes this session to explore the multifaceted challenges affecting connectivity in the developing world and explore actionable strategies. Key discussion topics: -Current State of Connectivity: Understanding existing Internet access disparities in the developing world, including limitations in infrastructure, gaps in digital literacy, and issues related to affordability. -Policy Frameworks and Regulatory Measures: Assessing the effectiveness of current policies in promoting connectivity and digital inclusion and discussing the need for adaptive frameworks to foster innovation while safeguarding consumer rights and privacy. Innovative Technologies: Highlighting technologies like fibre, wireless, satellite, and community networks, and discussing their potential to extend Internet access to underserved communities. -Partnerships for Accelerating Connectivity: Exploring the role of public-private partnerships and regional cooperation initiatives in accelerating connectivity efforts and identifying opportunities for stakeholder engagement and resource mobilization. Role of Various Organizations: Introducing the contributions of organizations, such as RIRs, in capacity-building, policy reform, and infrastructure development in the developing world.
1. Actionable Policy Recommendations: The session is expected to generate tailored policy recommendations for improving Internet connectivity in the offline developing countries. These recommendations will be compiled into a report for dissemination to policymakers and stakeholders. 3. Partnership Building: By fostering collaboration among diverse sectors, the session is expected to create new partnerships to mobilize resources and share best practices for accelerating Internet connectivity. Knowledge Exchange: Participants will share insights and best practices, deepening understanding of connectivity challenges and informing future interventions. 4. Capacity Development: Through interactive discussions, participants will gain insights and strategies to effectively address internet connectivity challenges in their communities. 5. Follow-up Initiatives: The session will lay the groundwork for ongoing initiatives to further advance Internet connectivity, ensuring sustained progress towards universal access and digital inclusion focusing on the offline populations.
Hybrid Format: To ensure an engaging hybrid session, we will employ several strategies: 1. Our main moderator will be participating on site. 2. We will designate a skilled remote moderator to facilitate seamless interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees. 3. The moderator will actively manage discussions, ensuring all voices are heard and questions are addressed. 4. We will design the session with a balanced focus on both onsite and online participants, utilizing visual aids and clear communication to maintain engagement across both platforms. 5. We will leverage online tools/platforms such as interactives, chat features, and collaborative document sharing to enhance participation and interaction. 6. We will prioritize accessibility and interactivity to create a cohesive and inclusive experience for all participants, regardless of their location.
Report
Bridging the Connectivity Gap: Identifying and addressing infrastructure, affordability, and digital literacy challenges is critical for connecting the offline population, particularly in underserved regions. There is a direct link between connectivity and GDP growth and cybersecurity maturity and GDP growth.
Policy and Collaboration Matter: Effective policies, regional cooperation, regional infrastructure initiatives and public-private partnerships drive meaningful progress toward universal Internet access. Government and donor support to passive infrastructure development, as well as infrastructure sharing by the network operators reduces the cost of last-mile connectivity and enhances speed of deployment.
Technology Innovations Drive Inclusion: Technologies like satellite, wireless networks, AI, and innovative financing models provide scalable solutions for digital inclusion.
Promote Adaptive Policies and Investment: Encourage governments and stakeholders to prioritize flexible policies and targeted investments that foster innovation, affordability, and inclusion in underserved regions. Universal service funds in the regions with the most offline population need to undergo a change management and review process for effectiveness.
Collaborative Partnerships: Public-private partnerships and regional cooperation are key to mobilizing resources, sharing expertise, and implementing scalable connectivity solutions. Combined efforts by Internet operators and technology providers, startups, governments, the academia, and communities across the regions that are home to the offline populations are much needed.