Governments Realize the Benefits of Broadband
National plans and programs help countries achieve the economic and social benefits of broadband
Governments around the world increasingly view broadband as the “fourth utility” alongside water, heating and electricity.1 The power of broadband has been confirmed by recent research, which shows that broadband fosters GDP growth, creates jobs and stimulates innovation, while also enabling improvements in education, health care and other social services.
To realize the many benefits of broadband, governments around the world are implementing comprehensive nationwide plans, as well as more tightly focused broadband programs. When combined with strategies that ensure the availability and affordability of ICT, these efforts help countries reap the benefits of broadband more quickly and provide broadband services to more citizens at an affordable price.
Defining broadband
Broadband can be defined in many ways, but is generally understood to be a service that enables reliable, high-speed transfer of data, voice and video over the Internet. The connectivity afforded by broadband is an essential element in a larger effort to make ICT resources available, affordable and reliable for individuals and businesses worldwide.
Broadband speeds vary greatly depending on technology, location, applications and other factors. Because of this, it may be more helpful to focus on “acceptable broadband” speeds, which are the speeds necessary to meet the particular demands of any given market segment, such as schools, homes, businesses or medical centers.
In emerging markets, Intel recommends that countries ensure that most citizens can achieve download speeds during peak hours of at least 1 to 3 megabits per second (Mbps). Although this is currently an acceptable minimum, by 2012, developing countries should aim for much higher speeds of 3 to 6 Mbps, and up to 15 Mbps soon after 2012.
Read the full Benefits of Broadband White Paper.
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Governments Realize the Benefits of Broadband
National plans and programs help countries achieve the economic and social benefits of broadband
Governments around the world increasingly view broadband as the “fourth utility” alongside water, heating and electricity.1 The power of broadband has been confirmed by recent research, which shows that broadband fosters GDP growth, creates jobs and stimulates innovation, while also enabling improvements in education, health care and other social services.
To realize the many benefits of broadband, governments around the world are implementing comprehensive nationwide plans, as well as more tightly focused broadband programs. When combined with strategies that ensure the availability and affordability of ICT, these efforts help countries reap the benefits of broadband more quickly and provide broadband services to more citizens at an affordable price.
Defining broadband
Broadband can be defined in many ways, but is generally understood to be a service that enables reliable, high-speed transfer of data, voice and video over the Internet. The connectivity afforded by broadband is an essential element in a larger effort to make ICT resources available, affordable and reliable for individuals and businesses worldwide.
Broadband speeds vary greatly depending on technology, location, applications and other factors. Because of this, it may be more helpful to focus on “acceptable broadband” speeds, which are the speeds necessary to meet the particular demands of any given market segment, such as schools, homes, businesses or medical centers.
In emerging markets, Intel recommends that countries ensure that most citizens can achieve download speeds during peak hours of at least 1 to 3 megabits per second (Mbps). Although this is currently an acceptable minimum, by 2012, developing countries should aim for much higher speeds of 3 to 6 Mbps, and up to 15 Mbps soon after 2012.
Read the full Benefits of Broadband White Paper.
