"This edition’s findings highlight important progress: in 2024, mobile broadband services have become more affordable in most regions and for most income groups, and a growing number of countries are meeting the Broadband Commission’s target of entry-level broadband services costing less than 2 per cent of monthly GNI per capita. These gains reflect the efforts of governments, regulators, and industry to expand access and reduce cost barriers.
Yet for far too many people around the world, the cost of connectivity services continues to account for a disproportionate share of income. This prevents them from fully participating in the digital economy, accessing vital services, or exercising their rights in an increasingly digital world. Fixed broadband remains largely unaffordable for vast segments of the population, especially in low-income countries. Even where services are affordable on average, significant gaps persist within countries, disproportionately affecting those who are already marginalized. And as digital services become more bandwidth-intensive, affordability must be assessed not just in terms of price, but also in relation to the quality and adequacy of the service." (Foreword)