Three key pillars to address
The Focus Areas Action Framework is the result of a consultation process carried out with the Working Group participants and Focus Area Leaders of the P2C Digital Coalition. Out of this process, key pillars across each of the four focus areas were identified. The pillars will help categorize some of the key challenges that need to be addressed to bring 2.9 billion people meaningfully online.
Connectivity and digital infrastructure (Infrastructure )
To be able to connect the target population of 2.9 billion people, one of the most critical aspects is to deploy the network infrastructure so that each part of the population is covered and able to start using the Internet and associated services. To achieve this, it is necessary to secure the following:
- Economic stimulus/support for ICT network (terrestrial and space-based) deployment
- Energy availability and security
- The use of multiple technologies (terrestrial and space-based) to overcome distance/geographical constraints (e.g. in SIDS)
- Spectrum allocation and management
- The involvement of a multitude of government agencies in the approval process
- Adequate infrastructure to provide meaningful connectivity (available, accessible, relevant and affordable, safe, trusted, user-empowering and leading to positive impacts)
Connectivity and digital infrastructure (Affordability)
In most of the developing nations (especially LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS), one of the biggest barriers in the proliferation of Internet use is the factor of affordability. Some of the key issues affecting the uptake of Internet and digital services are:
- The affordability of mobile/broadband data plans
- Prohibitive device costs (smartphones/computers)
- Device financing
- Reliability of services – communication and uninterrupted power supply
Cybersecurity
Aspeople continue to be enabled with online access and services, the aspect of cybersecurity becomes increasingly important. There are multiple fundamental issues related to the cybersecurity set-up that need to be addressed:
- CIRT/CERT deployment
- Cybersecurity capacity – tools and metrics, training and skills gaps
- Cooperation at public/private levels, and bilateral or multilateral agreements
- Protection and resilience of critical infrastructure
The next three sub-sections explore these key pillars in further detail. Issues that are closely related or similar in nature are explored jointly. Sets of potential interventions to tackle these issues are also introduced, but are not exhaustive and only represent only a sample of ideas on how to address the ACCESS challenge. All stakeholders are encouraged to consider additional actions to help bring the remaining 2.9 billion people online.