People in Low-Income Countries Have Few Fixed Connections, Use Less Broadband: ITU

Fixed-broadband services accounted for more than 80% of global internet traffic in 2022, but the dominance of fixed networks “underscores the global connectivity disparity between high- and low-income countries,” ITU said Monday. There remains only one fixed-broadband subscription per 100 people in low-income countries because of high prices and lack of infrastructure, ITU said. It found “not only that fewer people are online, but that those who are connected use less data -- meaning they are not achieving the full potential of connectivity or realizing the benefits of digital transformation.” Worldwide, the monthly average was 257 GB per fixed-broadband subscription, compared with 11 GB per mobile-subscriber in 2022 -- monthly fixed traffic in just low-income countries averaged 161 GB compared with 1 GB for mobile during the period. “The further and faster technology advances, the more urgent our mission to connect everyone becomes," said Doreen Bogdan-Martin, ITU secretary-general. “Fulfilling the promise of universal and meaningful connectivity is one of the most important causes of our time in our effort to realize the sustainable future we want and need."