"This research reveals an encouraging range of efforts, large and small, focused on promoting greater access to the Internet. Some of these efforts are proving effective in bringing ever-larger numbers of users online in real and meaningful ways. Other efforts are helping to shine a light on the access challenge, creating the impetus for policymakers, industry leaders, and others to take action. Although the international response thus far has been encouraging, our analysis also revealed significant gaps in global response that, if left unaddressed, will slow, or in some cases even impede, progress toward universal access. These include a greater need to operationalize global agendas, promote business models, curate best practices, research new technologies, and fund activities.
Three clear recommendations emerged that would allow the international development actors to take advantage of their respective capabilities and tools in order to serve as catalysts for spurring growth in access for the most vulnerable populations, particularly in LDCs. 1. Mainstream Access Across the Development Agenda, both through building capacity to make access a priority across development organizations and within host governments, and through the development of an economic impact model to clearly demonstrate the beneficial impacts of increased access. 2. Amplify Innovative Business Models, through concerted and coordinated efforts to explore and finance successful models. 3. Develop Consistency in Approaches to Digital Access, through researching and establishing a collection of best practices." (Executive summary, pages 6-7)