What is Universal Connectivity?

Meaningful Universal Connectivity means that anyone, anywhere, regardless of geographic location, socio-economic status, race, gender, or any other differentiating demographic, has access to affordable services and devices to connect to reliable and safe internet.

Where do we see Universal Connectivity in action?

DIGITAL INCLUSION

Universal connectivity ensures that as the world progresses no communities are left behind.

GOVERNMENT & FINANCIAL OPERATIONS

Many governments and financial services are now available online, from banking and tax forms to healthcare.

CRISIS REPONSE & EMERGENCIES

Broadband helps bring vital emergency services to general populations as well as emergency responders.

Cross-cultural Interactions

Universal connectivity brings us closer together - allowing us to transcend borders to share customs and cultures.

Sustainable Cities

Broadband enables smart cities - efficiently managing city resources and services to improve quality of life and reduce negative environmental impact.

DIGITAL ECONOMY AND WORKPLACE

Broadband access reimagines the workplace, creating a new frontier for businesses and workers to grow the global economy

HEALTH AND PUBLIC SERVICES

Broadband is crucial for rural health care providers, as many of the capabilities of health IT, like telehealth require connection.

Equality

Universal connectivity provides opportunity to all people regardless of gender, race and geographic location.

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Universal connectivity will allow the world to harness the ingenuity and creativity of all people to drive innovation and sustainable development.

Education

Universal and safe access to broadband brings learning outside of the classroom giving opportunities to students without access to traditional schooling ensuring that no one is left behind.

Join the cause.

Download a graphic and share with us at @UNBBCOM how your organization is helping achieve meaningful #UniversalConnectivity

Reaching the Global Goal of Universal Connectivity

The Broadband Commission published the Manifesto: Global Goal of Universal Connectivity to call on the global community to recognize digital connectivity as the foundational element of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

This goal of universal connectivity will require collective, collaborative efforts by all stakeholders. In order to reach this goal we must prioritize:

Establishing a baseline for universal digital connectivity.

Identifying and supporting public-private financing of universal broadband.

Advocating for enabling ICT regulatory environments, capacity building & online safety.

The Universal Connectivity Campaign provides a framework to reach our global goal, baseline knowledge of the different types of broadband connectivity and examples of how broadband can be utilized to provide public services and access to education and resource, all to ensure equitable and sustainable development for all.