Our History
The Broadband Commission Over Time
Since its inception, the Broadband Commission has continued to engage in high-level advocacy to promote Universal Connectivity. One of the central roles of the Commission is to leverage its high-profile Commissioners to advocate for higher priority to be given to the development of broadband infrastructure and services to ensure that the benefits of this technology are realized globally and to spread the message of Broadband for Sustainable Development at key events, conferences and functions.
To date, the Commission’s outcomes have included a State of Broadband report published annually since 2010, more than 30 Working Groups on thematic areas from health to education, and bi-annual meetings gathering its Commissioners and leaders each year to track progress and plan action. The Commission has also been instrumental in launching the following global initiatives:
- EQUALS: The Global Partnership for Gender Equality in the Digital Age
- Giga: The ITU/UNICEF Global Initiative to Connect Every School to Internet by 2030
- Child Online Safety Universal Declaration
In May 2010, the ITU and UNESCO established the Broadband Commission for Digital Development in response to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon's call to step-up UN efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals.
The aim of the Commission is to boost the importance of broadband on the international policy agenda and expand broadband access in every country, as key to accelerating progress towards national and international development targets.
5 State of Broadband Reports
12 Working Group Reports
Multilingualism
LDCs
Broadband & Science
Climate Change
E-Government
Digital Health
Gender
Education
Taskforce
Finance & Investment
Youth
Platforms for the SDGs
1 Call to Action
Rio+20 Conference
3 Open Letters
HLPF
G20 Meeting
PP-14
1 Manifesto
In September 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals replaced the Millennium Development Goals as the international policy framework for socio-economic development and poverty reduction.
In this year the Broadband Commission reassessed its targets to align with the SDGs, recognizing the importance of broadband in achieving all 17 goals.
5 State of Broadband Reports
16 Working Group Reports
Demand
Digital Health
Child Online Safety
Digitalization Scorecard
Digital Gender Divide
Education
Vulnerable Countries
Tech in Space
Entrepreneurship
Digital Health
Epidemic Preparedness
Moonshot for Africa
School Connectivity
Disinformation
Financing Models
AI & Health
4 Open Statements
World Humanitarian Summit
HLPF
UN Habitat III
COP-22
3 Joint Initiatives
EQUALS
Giga
COP
In 2020, the Broadband Commission celebrated its 10 year Anniversary by publishing a Special Edition of its flagship State of Broadband Report, in which it reexamines its policy recommendations and purpose.
In response to the COVID19 pandemic the Commission collaborated to produce the Agenda for Action, initiatives and applications to address the crisis.
Finally, the Universal Connectivity Goal was established in the Commission's newly released Manifesto.
With over 50 Commissioners representing international organizations, the private sector, governments and civil society, the Commission continues its work to realize its goal of Universal Connectivity.
Current Working Groups include:
21st Century Financing Models
Digital Learning
Epidemic Management