Digital technologies are profoundly changing our economies and societies. Broadband networks are essential in enabling this transformation. By reducing the cost of accessing information and by expanding the means for sharing knowledge, these networks can empower people, encourage greater civic engagement and improve the delivery of public services, as well as support the development of more inclusive and sustainable societies. Nonetheless, these opportunities come with challenges, the first of which is to ensure that everyone has access to this tool. While the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region has a high number of mobile telephone subscriptions (more than one subscription per person), 50% of people in LAC are still not connected to the Internet and only 10% of individuals in the region have fixed broadband subscriptions.
"Broadband Policies for Latin America and the Caribbean: A Digital Economy Toolkit" is a result of a more than two years-long project that involved 26 countries in the LAC region and the combined resources of the OECD and the IDB. In setting out some guidelines for designing a whole-of-government approach to broadband policies, this Toolkit aims to assist countries in the region enhance their digital prospects and make progress on international, regional and national policy objectives.
This roundtable of experts in the region will discuss some of the key findings and main challenges identified in the Toolkit, as well as the way forward for the LAC region in making sure the digital economy is within the reach of all. The roundtable will discuss the following questions:
- What are the main take aways from the Toolkit and what is missing?
- If you could choose one chapter to be prioritised for policy action in 2017-18, what would it be?
- How can we harness regional integration to implement some of the good practices identified?
Panellists
- Bruno Ramos (Regional Director of the Latin America, ITU)
- Sebastian Bellagamba (Regional Bureau Director for LAC, ISOC)
- Gonzalo Navarro (Executive Director, ALAI)
- Christoph Steck (Director of Policy and Internet, Telefónica)
- Alexandre Barbosa (Manager, CETIC.br, Brazil)
- Maria Helena Estavillo (Commissioner, IFT, Mexico)
Video of the session:
https://youtu.be/REWIuUuhEh0?t=32m
Report of the session (by GIP):
http://digitalwatch.giplatform.org/sessions/oecd-broadband-policies-lac-digital-economy-toolkitRead full publication:
[English] Broadband Policies for Latin America and the Caribbean: A Digital Economy Toolkit[Spanish] Políticas de banda ancha para América Latina y el Caribe: Un manual para la economía digital
Visit website (beta):
http://www.oecd.org/internet/broadband/lac-digital-toolkit/
