缩小中亚和南高加索的数字鸿沟

The GSMA is a global organisation unifying the mobileecosystem to discover, develop and deliver innovationfoundational to positive business environments andsocietal change. Our vision is to unlock the full power ofconnectivity so that people, industry and society thrive.Representing mobile operators and organisations acrossthe mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA GSMA Intelligence is the definitive source of global mobileoperator data, analysis and forecasts, and publisher ofauthoritative industry reports and research. Our datacovers every operator group, network and MVNO in every GSMA Intelligence is relied on by leading operators,vendors, regulators, financial institutions and third-partyindustry players, to support strategic decision-making Our team of analysts and experts produce regularthought-leading research reports across a range of We invite you to find out more atgsma.com www.gsmaintelligence.com info@gsmaintelligence.com Authors Kenechi Okeleke, Director, Regional, Social and Policy Research, GSMA IntelligenceSayali Borole, Senior Analyst, GSMA Intelligence Contributors Tair Ismailov, Strategic Engagement Director, GSMA EuropeVitaly Khomenko, General Director, Ubiquitous Wireless LLP Ubiquitous Wireless LLP, a consulting firm with vast experience and expertise in spectrum management, ICTpolicy and other related areas across the Commonwealth of Independent States and other emerging markets, Contents Executive summary 1Digital transformation trends81.1Governments outline digital transformation ambitions91.2Connectivity as a key enabler of digital transformation11 2The connectivity landscape2.1Mobile connectivity is the dominant form of internet access 3The digital divide3.1Understanding the digital divide3.2Addressing the digital divide 4Policies to close the digital divide4.1Facilitating infrastructure rollout4.2Stimulating mobile internet demand 27 Executive summary Mobile connectivity is at the heart of digitalisation ambitions The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated thatdigitalisation can significantly improve access toservices and expand opportunities, particularly forotherwise excluded population groups. Against thisbackdrop, countries in Central Asia and the South Mobile technology has been fundamental toexpanding connectivity across Central Asia andthe South Caucasus. This is based on the capabilityof wireless networks to cover a wide area withgreater efficiency than many other technologies.This is especially true in developing regions with Digital connectivity is fundamental to the realisationof the digital transformation plans of governments,such as in Central Asia and the South Caucasus. Itis the basis for creating and distributing innovativedigital solutions and, perhaps more importantly, The mobile landscape in Central Asia and theSouth Caucasus is diverse. 4G is now the dominanttechnology in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, but 3Gstill accounts for around a third or more of totalconnections across the other markets. The 5Gera is still in its infancy, relative to more advanced Mobile technology hasbeen fundamental to Collaboration is required to Around 45 million people now use mobile internetacross the eight countries in Central Asia and theSouth Caucasus that this report focuses on. Whilethis is more than three times the number of mobileinternet users (14.1 million) a decade earlier, nearly Nearly 50 million unconnected people remainat risk of missing out on the An important step in efforts to address the digitaldivide is to identify the nature and scale of thechallenge, as well as the most affected segmentsof the population. GSMA Intelligence data showsthat the coverage gap2has narrowed markedly inthe South Caucasus region but remains a challengein parts of Central Asia, where around 10% of thepopulation in most markets still live in underserved Closing the digital divide in Central Asia and theSouth Caucasus region will require substantialcollaborative actions to both provide coverage forthose living in areas without mobile broadband andaddress the barriers to usage for those already living Collaboration is required to close the digital divide Effective and enabling policies are essential tocomplement the collaborative efforts of mobileindustry players and other key stakeholders inclosing the digital divide. To this end, governmentsand policymakers should implement policies and —Stimulate demand for mobile broadband:Thisinvolves alleviating the affordability barrier byrebalancing the tax burden on mobile consumers —Facilitate infrastructure rollout:This involvesimplementing a spectrum policy that aims toimprove coverage in rural areas, creating incentivesfor operators to invest in network infrastructureand ensuring the effective and sustainable use 01Digital transformation trends 1.1 Governments outline digitaltransformation ambitions Around the world, governments and businessesare increasingly leveraging digital technologies andservices