China 2015 - Connecting the Unconnected

TL;DR

Providing access to the unconnected population is crucial for global development, and collaboration between stakeholders is necessary to overcome challenges and drive innovation.

Transcript

great we'll get started now welcome everyone to our session on connecting the unconnected our original moderator unexpectedly had to leave and so i'm filling in for the moderator and i will continue to add a few comments to the topic as well joining uh us today on the panel ken who deputy chairman and rotating ceo of huawei to his left jonathan jac... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌐 Collaboration among stakeholders is essential for overcoming barriers to connectivity and achieving global development goals.
• 🤩 Investing in broadband infrastructure, reducing costs, and fostering innovation are key drivers of connectivity.
• 🤗 An open and supportive regulatory framework is necessary to promote collaboration, innovation, and market development.
• 🖐️ Local entrepreneurs and developers play a critical role in creating relevant content and applications for their communities.
• 🥺 The formalization of the digital economy can lead to increased access, economic growth, and social development.
• 👨‍💼 Connecting the unconnected population requires a combination of technological innovation, business models, and policy support.
• 🗂️ Addressing the digital divide requires a comprehensive approach that considers infrastructure, affordability, digital literacy, and local content.
• ❓ Collaboration and knowledge sharing enable stakeholders to learn from each other's experiences and develop scalable solutions.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the main barriers to connecting the unconnected population?

The main barriers include inadequate broadband infrastructure, high costs of devices and data, lack of local content, and limited digital literacy. Collaboration among stakeholders and supportive regulatory policies can help overcome these challenges.

Q: How can collaboration between stakeholders drive innovation in connectivity?

Collaboration allows for knowledge sharing, pooling of resources, and the development of innovative solutions that benefit all parties involved. It enables the creation of localized content, improves access to devices and connectivity, and fosters economic growth.

Q: What role does regulation play in promoting connectivity?

Regulation plays a crucial role in ensuring fair competition, spectrum management, and market development. It can encourage investment, reduce costs, and create a favorable environment for innovation and collaboration.

Q: How can local entrepreneurs and developers contribute to improving connectivity?

Local entrepreneurs and developers play a vital role in creating relevant content and applications for their communities. By providing training and support, fostering innovation, and facilitating partnerships, stakeholders can help these entrepreneurs thrive and enhance connectivity.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Huawei, a global ICT solutions provider, emphasizes the need for a stronger broadband infrastructure with broader coverage and faster speed to connect the 4 billion people without internet access in underdeveloped countries.

• Dimagi, a cloud-based technology provider, highlights the challenges of providing access to their mobile applications in developing markets, where the cost of devices and data is a barrier. They advocate for collaboration among stakeholders to share the costs and benefits of connectivity.

• Upwork, an online freelance marketplace, discusses the importance of connecting businesses with freelance talent worldwide and the opportunities it brings for economic growth. They stress the need for governments to invest in connectivity and foster an environment conducive to innovation.

• ITU, a specialized UN agency responsible for ICT and telecom, highlights their role in setting global standards, coordinating spectrum allocation, and encouraging market development. They emphasize the need for an open and supportive regulatory framework to drive connectivity.