Link Between GDP Growth and Broadband Access

The World Bank has urged African countries should focus on lowering the cost of broadband access to help boost their economies.

In its latest report, the bank found a strong link between gross domestic product (GDP) growth and broadband access, underlying the need for stimulus programmes in which governments have allocated billions of dollars to expand high-speed Internet access to fight recession.

World Bank Group Director for Global Information Communication Technology (ICT), Mohsen Khalil, points out that, "If you look at dynamics and evolution, they are doing really well." Khalil said the typical monthly mobile bill was still US$10 to US$12 in Africa, while in Southeast Asia many operators run profitable operations with average bills of US$5 or less.

To read the article titled, “Good ICT will lift Africa's rankings - World Bank,” click here.