Innovative approaches to connectivity

Wednesday, June 15 / Room Addis Abeba III / 12.00 p.m.

At the end of 2015, estimates showed that 3.2 billion people were online, compared to 3 billion in 2014. This increase is partly attributed to more affordable data and rising global incomes, according to Facebook's recent connectivity report.

Over the past 10 years, connectivity increased by approximately 200 to 300 million people per year. While this is positive news in terms of growth, it also means that globally, 4.1 billion people were still not Internet users in 2015. The four key barriers to Internet access include availability: proximity of the necessary infrastructure required for access; Affordability: the cost of access relative to income; Relevance: a reason for access, such as primary language content; Readiness: the capacity to access, including skills, awareness and cultural acceptance.

The Connectivity Lab at Facebook is developing ways to make affordable Internet access possible in communities around the world with a variety of technologies, including high-altitude, long-endurance planes, satellites and lasers. Facebook also provides in Africa and India free Internet access to basic websites. This principle is contested for a variety of reasons. The session will discuss connectivity strategies for developing and emerging countries with a broad range of stakeholders and representatives from Facebook.