Policy options for digital infrastructure strategies: A simulation model for broadband universal service in Africa

Understand

Internet access is essential for economic development and helping to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals, especially as even basic broadband can revolutionize available economic opportunities.

• Yet, more than one billion people still live without internet access.
• Governments must make strategic choices to connect these citizens, but currently have few independent, transparent and scientifically reproducible assessments to rely on.
• This paper develops open-source software to test broadband universal service strategies which meet the 10 Mbps target being considered by the UN Broadband Commission.