Description:
This session provides a platform for a diverse set of stakeholders to discuss actions to accelerate digital inclusion, paying particular attention to disadvantaged groups such as women and persons with disabilities. Internet adoption has rapidly increased, with the mobile industry connecting an additional 1 billion people over the last five years , bringing the total number of internet users to 4.1 billion . The Internet is used more widely once adopted, which is reflected by the fast growth of monthly data consumption. Across the world, data use is set to increase fourfold, from 7.5 GB per person in 2019 to 28 GB in 2025. Sub Saharan Africa is expected to see the largest increase, from 0.8 GB to almost 7GB, spurred by increased smartphone adoption and improvements in network infrastructure. Unfortunately, however, billions of individuals are not benefiting yet. Despite the spectacular expansion of internet access and use, there is still a ‘coverage gap’ of 600 million people without access to the internet. There is an even bigger ‘usage gap’ of 3.3 billion people who are covered by a network but not using the internet. Significant disparities in mobile internet coverage and use remain across regions and different segments of the population, especially for women and persons with disabilities (PwD). Although 50 percent of women are online, they are 20 per cent less likely to use the mobile internet than men . Significant inequalities are also observed in terms of internet use for persons with disabilities, a user group that is often overlooked. PwD are reporting lower internet usage, and most not using any accessibility features to help them operate a digital device . As societies turn increasingly digital and the spread of Covid-19 has increased our collective dependency on technology, we cannot afford to leave anyone behind. Advancing coverage and internet use for all requires pragmatic discussions around enabling investments and innovations for infrastructure expansion in rural and remote areas, as well as addressing the barriers to internet use. The factors beyond infrastructure holding back the adoption of the internet include affordability, the availability of locally relevant content and services, literacy and digital skills, trust and security as well as accessibility for disadvantaged groups. It is increasingly urgent that effective, tangible and measurable action is taken to overcome the usage and coverage gaps, as the persistent digital divide will have long term ramifications for socio-economic development, the ability of societies to absorb the impact of Covid-19 and progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. While there have been efforts to address the digital divide, more is required and it is critical that we take action which enables us to take significant strides to advance internet adoption and use by all. This interactive panel will bring together high level panellists from different regions and stakeholders to explore how we can deliver at scale and address the digital divide, paying special attention to the gender gap and persons with disabilities. Panellists will explore this issue followed by contributions from the audience. Join us to discuss how we can accelerate digital inclusion for all and ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to benefit from an increasingly digital society. Additional Reference Document Links: https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/GSM...Mobile-Internet-Connectivity-Report-2019.pdf GSMA (2019): The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2019 https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/GSM...Gender-Gap-Report-2020.pdf GSMA (2020): The Mobile Gender Gap Report 2020 https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/GSM...Mobilehttps:/broadbandcommission.org/Documents/working-groups/DigitalMoonshotforAfrica_Report.pdf-Gender-Gap-Report-2020.pdf UN Broadband Commission (2019): Connecting Africa Through Broadband - A strategy for doubling connectivity by 2021 and reaching universal access by 2030 https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/GSM...operators-are-driving-inclusion-of-persons-with-disabilities_Accessible.pdf GSMA (2019): How mobile operators are driving inclusion of persons with disabilities