Breaking the Cost Barrier

Access to affordable smartphones remains one of the top reported barriers to close the usage gap in Low- and Middle-Income Countries and requires a multi-stakeholder approach to address it. Today 3.1 billion people are being left out of the digital world. While progress is made to lower the cost of devices and shape device financing strategies, persistent roadblocks prevent these initiatives to scale. Can we finally solve the affordability challenge to bring the benefits of broadband connectivity to all segments of the population?