Updated Analysis of the Broadband Infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific Region
ESCAP has published a new study that aims to provide an analysis on broadband connectivity, specifically in the area of broadband and telephony markets, domestic and international Internet connectivity as well as international bandwidth among 27 ESCAP member countries.
The countries included are Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Viet Nam. In addition, historical trends and projected requirements for international bandwidth for voice, corporate data as well as the international Internet are presented for each country.
The study was conducted in support of the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway (AP-IS), a regional broadband connectivity initiative. The AP-IS is designed around four pillars of 1) developing physical ICT infrastructure, 2) improving Internet traffic and network management, 3) enhancing e-resilience and 4) promoting digital inclusion. The AP-IS initiative aims to be a catalyst to develop seamless regional broadband networks which improve affordability, reliance, resilience and coverage and thereby narrow the digital divide, develop the Internet ecosystem, support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and stimulate digital economy in Asia and the Pacific.
This report was developed in support of the AP-IS Pillars on developing physical ICT infrastructure as well as improving Internet traffic and network management. The findings point to disparities within the Asia-Pacific region in terms of available international bandwidth, affordability and physical ICT infrastructure.
