In Asia, South Korea has the highest fixed broadband subscription per 100 inhabitants whilst in stark contrast, Bangladesh ranks among the lowest with only 2.4 percent.
Among 18 countries that include Singapore, China and close neigbours Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan, Bangladesh ranked at 12. India fell just below Bangladesh with only 1.3 percent fixed broadband subscription, according to a graph compiled by ANN and Data Leads sourced from UNESCAP report 2016.
Myanmar ranked the lowest with only 0.3 percent fixed broadband subscription.
Broadband connectivity, especially reliable, affordable and resilient fixed broadband infrastructure, is a critical foundation which supports various applications and initiatives that are essential for the achievement of the SDGs, ranging from traffic and transport management, smart power management, trade facilitation, disaster management and financial inclusion.
ICT is not only a growth sector which creates value-added services, products and employment opportunities, but it also acts as a development enabler which can accelerate efforts towards the implementation of the SDGs, according to a report on Inter Press Service News Agency.
United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Dr Shamshad Akhtar underlined that broadband connectivity is a critical foundation for the digital economy and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Asia-Pacific, and that ESCAP is working with member States to improve broadband access for countries in the region, according to a report on UNESCAP.
“As a result of this digital divide, millions of people are shut out from transformative digital opportunities in education, health, business and financial services,” said Dr Akhtar.
