At the World Economics Forum, in Davos, Switzerland, the UN Broadband Commission set global broadband targets to bring the 3.8 billion people in the world that are not connected to the internet, online.

The United Nations’ Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development has set seven targets to connect the world’s population without internet access by 2025. Around half of the world’s population is expected to be internet connected by the end of 2019, but this will leave an estimated 3.8billion without access to it. In support of  “Connecting the Other Half” the commission publicised its 2025 targets to expand broadband infrastructure, internet access and use around the world, in support of achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations and the international community in September 2015.

Among the seven targets to be achieved by 2025 are that entry-level broadband services should be made affordable in developing countries, at less than 2% of monthly gross national income per capita. Another target is for 75% broadband/internet penetration worldwide, 65% in developing countries and 35% in the least developed countries and that 60% of the world’s youth and adult population should have achieved a minimum level of proficiency in sustainable digital skills. It also wants to reduce by half the number of unconnected micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises.

The Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development includes industry CEOs, senior policy-makers and government representatives, international agencies, academia and organisations concerned with development.

The Commission promotes broadband in developing countries and under-served communities, and is co-chaired by President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Carlos Slim Helú of the Carlos Slim Foundation.