The impact of unequal access to ICT infrastructure on the Geography of COVID-19 Diffusion

Time and place: Wednesday, 29 July 2020, 14h00 – 15h30 CET (Webinar​)​

ITU-D Study Groups were pleased to invite you to join us for this webinar focusing on the impact of unequal access to ICT infrastructure on COVID-19 Diffusion.

As part of the work of ITU-D Study Group 1 Question 4/1, on Economic policies and methods of determining the costs of services related to national telecommunication/ICT networks, this webinar focused the impact of ICT infrastructure on COVID-19, through the role played by digital exclusion on the effectiveness of public health policies.​The pandemic spreads across regions and nations following patterns of underlying social and economic inequalities as well as digital exclusion. Access to information and compliance with health policies depends on the cost, quality and understanding of online information on distancing modalities, sanctioning and health risks. Digital exclusion, due to low quality and costly connectivity, coupled with a lack of digital skills, limits policy effectiveness driving observed inequalities.

• Digital exclusion, focusing on how to recognize the most digital excluded locations and communities, even within otherwise well connected regions.
• Social Distancing Compliance, through crowdsourcing and Social Platforms mobility data.
• Possible links between lack of access to ICT infrastructure (physical, economic and cognitive) and Public Health policy effectiveness and COVID-19 reproduction rates
• Policy solutions aimed at bridging the digital exclusions gaps, making public health policies more effective to reduce diffusion.

An open discussion with all participants explored the related challenges, opportunities and lessons learned. The insights and findings gathered through this web dialogue may be considered for the final output report of Question 4/1.


OPENING AND WELCOME
• Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Director, Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), International Telecommunication Union [Biography​​]

Moderator
• Prof. Emanuele Giovannetti, Professor of Economics from Anglia Ruskin University, and Vice-Rapporteur for ITU-D Study Group 1 Question 4/1 [Presentation] [Biogra​phy​]

Panelists:​
• Prof. Jon Crowcroft, University of Cambridge, UK [Presentation] [Biography​]
• Prof. Alison Gillwald, Research ICT Africa [Presentation] [Biography​]
• Dr. Enrico Calandro, University of Cape Town [Presentation] [Biography​]
• Dr. Andrea Pirrone, OFCOM, UK [Biography​]
• Ms. Jane Coffin, Internet Society​

Closing
• Dr. Eun-Ju Kim, Chief of Digital Knowledge Hub Department, Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), International Telecommunication Union [Biography]