Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is an existing and widely deployed technology that can be mobilized to increase the pace and scale of transformation. The central role of ICT is delivering innovative, integrated, cross-sectoral sustainable development outcomes. The key accelerator technology that can move off the businessas-usual (BAU) path is information and communication technology (ICT)-notably mobile broadband-which has demonstrated the fastest, most global technology uptake in human history. In the future, rapid innovation around the Internet of Things, advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, and large data promise further substantial gains across the entire global economy (Broadband Commission 2014). To illustrate the potential of ICT to drive and accelerate progress on the sustainable development goals (SDGs) beyond business-as-usual (BAU), broadband is a key enabling infrastructure for all aspects of the economy in four key SDG focus areas: health, education, financial services, and energy and climate change. ICT offers potential for widespread, accelerated uptake by reducing the unit costs of service delivery; expanding the range of services that can be offered; economizing on scarce resources (ICT can be used to upskill local workers, who can be trained online rather than having to send a trainer to a physical location); and accelerating institutional learning through online communities (The Earth Institute Columbia University and Ericsson 2017).
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