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THEGLOBALCONNECTINITIATIVE:ACCELERATINGENTREPRENEURSHIPANDECONOMIC

OPPORTUNITYBYEXPANDINGINTERNETACCESSGLOBALLY

—U.S.INTERAGENCYSTEERINGGROUPREPORT—DECEMBER2016

PHOTO:Installationoftowersprovidingconnectivityinfrastructure(OPIC)

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TABLEOFCONTENTSsectiontitlesarehyperlinkedforyourconvenience

-onlyavailablewhenviewinginMSWord-

SUMMARY 3

INTRODUCTION 6

EXPANDINGINTERNATIONALCOOPERATIONONCONNECTIVITY 7

FINANCINGCONNECTIVITY 14

IMPLEMENTINGDEVELOPMENTASSISTANCE 18

BUILDINGCAPACITYONTECHNICALANDREGULATORYBESTPRACTICES 25

DEVELOPINGSTAKEHOLDERPARTNERSHIPS 28

FUTURESTRATEGIESANDACTION 31

CONCLUSION 35

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SUMMARYOver4billionoftheworld’s7.2billionpeopledonotyethaveaccesstotheInternet.Morethanhalfoftheearth’spopulationremainswithouttheremarkablebenefitsthattheInternetandrelatedtechnologiesbringtoeconomicandsocialdevelopment.Intheleastdevelopedcountries,only1inevery10individualshasregularaccesstotheInternet,andratesareevenworseforwomenandgirls.Toaddressthisproblem,onSeptember27,2015,theU.S.DepartmentofStatelaunchedtheGlobalConnectInitiativewiththegoalofconnectingthenext1.5billionpeopletotheInternetby2020.TheGlobalConnectInitiativeisamulti-stakeholdereffortbasedonthenotionthatallstakeholders,includinggovernments,theprivatesector,civilsociety,multilateraldevelopmentbanks,andinternationalorganizations,mustplaytheirparttoexpandconnectivity.Itseekstomainstreamtheideathatconnectivityisascriticaltoeconomicdevelopmentasotherformsofinfrastructure,likeroads,ports,andelectricity.OnJune24,2016,throughanexecutiveorderthePresidentoftheUnitedStatescreatedtheGlobalConnectInternationalConnectivitySteeringGroup(SteeringGroup),bringingtogether12federalgovernmentdepartmentsandagencies,allrelevantpolicyofficeswithintheExecutiveOfficeofthePresident,aswellasoneindependentfederalcommission,toensureacoordinatedandconsistentapproachtoagencyimplementationofthegoalsoftheGlobalConnectInitiativewiththeDepartmentofStateaschair.Theexecutiveordercalledontheinitiativetofocuson:encouragingforeigncountriestoprioritizeInternetconnectivityindevelopmentplans,promotetheformationofregion-specificmulti-sectorworkinggroupstoensuretechnicalandregulatorybestpractices,andencouragethedevelopmentofdigitalliteracyprogramsindevelopingnations.TheSteeringGroupagencieshaverealizedsubstantialprogressinadvancingthesegoalsinfivecategoriesofaction,withover40programsandactivitiesthathavereachedmorethan30countries.Theseactivitiesincludedthefollowingexamples:ExpandingInternationalCooperationonConnectivity

• AttheApril14GlobalConnectInitiativeHighLevelEvent,theU.S.SecretaryofStateandWorldBankPresidenthosted150participants,includingfinanceministersandotherseniorgovernmentsofficials,multilateraldevelopmentbankpresidents,andprivatesectorandcivilsocietyleaders,tocatalyzefurtheractionbyallstakeholdersandemphasizetheimportanceofconnectivitytodevelopment,helpingtocreateapolicyenvironmentthatsustainsahealthyInternetbyencouraginginvestmentandinnovation.AttheHighLevelEventweidentifieddozensofglobalactionsfromforeigngovernmentsandkeystakeholdersthatsupportedinternationalconnectivityandwerevaluedatover$20billion.

• AspartofthenewlyformedU.S.-ArgentinaDigitalEconomyWorkingGroup,theUnitedStatesandArgentinadecidedtodevelopaGlobalConnectjointworkplantoincludecapacitybuildingandcooperationonconnectivityinitiativeswithotherstakeholders,suchastheInter-AmericanDevelopmentBankandWorldEconomicForum.

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StrengtheningtheFinancingofConnectivity

• TheU.S.OverseasPrivateInvestmentCorporation(OPIC)hasover$1billionincurrentfinancingforvariousinformationandcommunicationstechnology(ICT)projectsworldwide,includingcommitmentsthisyearof$171millioninIndiaand$4.1millioninKenyain2016.

• TheDepartmentsofStateandTreasuryhaveengageddirectlywithmultilateraldevelopmentbanksandinternationalfinanceinstitutionstosupportincreasedlendingforconnectivityandtoadvocateforpolicychangestoraisetheprofileofconnectivity.

ImplementingDevelopmentAssistance

• ThroughitsGlobalBroadbandandInnovationsProgram,theU.S.AgencyforInternationalDevelopment(USAID)hasimplementeddevelopmentassistanceprogramstoexpandconnectivity–includingsupportingthedevelopmentofnationalbroadbandplans,TVwhitespacetechnologydeployments,andbusinessmodelinnovationstoreachlast-milecommunities–inIndonesia,Botswana,Jamaica,Kenya,andthePhilippineswithpartnerssuchasMicrosoftandNetHope.

• AUnitedStatesTradeandDevelopmentAgency(USTDA)grantfortechnicalassistanceishelpingtheBrazilianStateofParádesigntheexpansionofitsfiberopticnetworkwiththegoalofidentifyingthetechnologiesbestsuitedtoincreasethereachofhigh-speedInternetservicetothemaximumnumberofcitizensintheAmazonregion.

BuildingCapacityonTechnicalandRegulatoryBestPractices

• SinceSeptember2015,theU.S.FederalCommunicationsCommission(FCC),throughitslong-

standingInternationalVisitorProgram,hashosted382visitorsfrom67countries,providingtechnicalandpolicyinformationonavarietyoftelecommunicationsissues.Italsohasorganizedandconductedseveralcapacity-buildingworkshopsandprogramsoverseaswithpartnersthatincludetheAssociationofSoutheastAsianNations(ASEAN)andIndia.

• WorkingwiththeBusinessCouncilforInternationalUnderstanding,theDepartmentofStatecoordinatedaninteragencygroupofexpertstoprovidebestpracticesandlessonslearnedonbroadbandinfrastructuredeploymentanddigitalinclusioninaseriesofdigitalinfrastructurebestpracticesworkshopsinIndiainAugust2016aspartoftheDigitalInfrastructure,InnovationandEntrepreneurshipWorkingGroupoftheU.S.-IndiaCEOForum.

DevelopingStakeholderPartnerships

• TheDepartmentofStatehasworkedwiththeInstituteforElectricalandElectronicsEngineersandtheWorldBanktosupportthreesuccessfulGlobalConnectStakeholdersConferencestoimprovecoordinationofconnectivityprogramsandsharebestpractices.Stakeholdersdecidedtolookforopportunitiestointegrateconnectivityintohardinfrastructureprojects(i.e.,the“dig-once”policy).

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• USAIDinvestsinprogramsthatsupportmoreinclusiveadoptionoftheInternetthrougheffortstoshrinkthegenderdigitaldivide,expanddigitalliteracy,andlowerthecostsofaccessincludingthroughfundingtheAllianceforAffordableInternet,aglobalcoalitionthatworkstocatalyzepolicychangeinordertodrivedownInternetprices.

TheSteeringGroup’sconsiderableeffortsarehavinganimpact,althoughsignificantworkremains.Eachagencyhasconsideredhowitcanbetterleverageitsownresourcestoexpandconnectivity,andtheSteeringGroupwillcontinuetoworktoimprovecoordinationoftheseefforts.Inthecomingyear,theSteeringGroupwillbuildonitsmomentumfromactionsin2016tostrengthenInternetconnectivity,improveregulatoryframeworks,andexpanddigitalliteracyprogramstomakefurtherprogresstowardbringingthenext1.5billionpeopleonlineby2020.Inaddition,throughtheGlobalConnectInitiative,weareworkingwithcountriesasvariedasArgentina,Liberia,andIndiatohelpexpandconnectivity.Aswiththerapidadoptionofmobiletechnologies,themajorityofinvestmentwillcontinuetocomefromtheprivatesector.Targetedmulti-stakeholdereffortsliketheGlobalConnectInitiativecanhelptotacklebarrierstoaccessandunlocklatentresources,acceleratingthediffusionoftheInternet’sbenefitstothosewhoarestillunconnected.

Connectivity(Indonesia,USAID)

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INTRODUCTIONIn2015,theglobalInternetreachedanewmilestone:Internetadoptionsurpassed3billionpeople,growingfrom2.9billionusersin2014tonearly3.2billionin2015.Butwhilethisgrowthistobeapplauded,muchmoreeffortisneededtoensurethatthosealreadyconnectedenjoyopen,secureInternetaccess,andthatthebenefitsoftheInternetspreadtotheremaining4billionpeoplewhoremainwithoutconnectivity.ItisnowwellestablishedthatInternetconnectivityisoneofthemostimportantdriversofeconomicgrowthandopportunity.Tospurmoreactiontoclosethisdigitaldivide,theU.S.DepartmentofStatelaunchedthemulti-stakeholderGlobalConnectInitiativein2015tohelpbringanadditional1.5billionnewInternetusersonlineby2020.ByExecutiveOrder13731issuedonJune24,2016,thePresidentdirectedtheU.S.governmenttobetterorganizeitseffortstoaccelerateentrepreneurshipandeconomicopportunityintheUnitedStatesandabroad,includingbyexpandingInternetaccessglobally.TheExecutiveOrdercreatedtheGlobalConnectInternationalConnectivitySteeringGroup(SteeringGroup),chairedbytheDepartmentofState,andcomprisingrepresentativesof12federaldepartmentsandagenciesandoneindependentfederalcommissioninall.TheSteeringGroupagenciesmeetregularlytostrategicallyimprovecoordinationandcatalyzefurtheractiontoincreaseInternetconnectivitygloballyinsupportoftheGlobalConnectInitiative.U.S.governmentactivitiespromotingconnectivityhaveincreasedinrecentyears,andtheSteeringGroupagenciesworkcloselywitheachotherandtheWhiteHouseonaddressingthisglobalchallenge.TheExecutiveOrderestablishesthreestrategicprioritiesfortheGlobalConnectInitiative:encouragingforeigncountriestoprioritizeInternetconnectivityindevelopmentplans,promotingtheformationofregion-specificmulti-sectorworkinggroupstoensuretechnicalandregulatorybestpractices,andencouragingthedevelopmentofdigitalliteracyprogramsindevelopingnations.TheSteeringGroupagenciesimmediatelysetaboutthetaskofexecutingtheExecutiveOrder,includingincreasedcoordinationoftheirconsiderableinitiativesalreadyunderway.TheExecutiveOrdercallsfortheSteeringGrouptomeetregularly,toassessitsprogresstowardtheGlobalConnectInitiative’sobjectives.TheUnderSecretaryofStateforEconomicGrowth,EnergyandtheEnvironmentchairedthefirstsenior-levelSteeringGroupmeetingonSeptember27,2016.Inaddition,theSteeringGrouphasconvenedattheworkinglevelfivetimessincetheExecutiveOrderwasissued.TheExecutiveOrderalsomandatedthattheSteeringGroupsubmitareporttotheSecretaryofStatewithinsixmonthsandauthorizedtheSecretaryofStatetorequestaperiodicupdateofthereportevery12monthsthereafter.AsrequiredbytheExecutiveOrder,thisreportdescribesrepresentativeeffortsoftheSteeringGroupagenciestakenduring2016insupportoftheGlobalConnectInitiative’sgoalofconnectingthenext1.5billionpeopletotheInternetby2020.Itdescribesthecurrentstateofagencyprocedures,requirements,programs,andpoliciesrelatedtothegoalsoftheGlobalConnectInitiativeandprovidesupdatesonthestrategyandevaluationcriteriaforFederalcontributionstotheGlobalConnectInitiative.Thereportdescribesprogressinfiveareas:expandinginternationalcooperationonconnectivity,strengtheningfinancingforconnectivity,implementingdevelopmentassistanceprogramming,buildingcapacityoverseasontechnicalandregulatorybestpractices,anddevelopingstakeholderpartnerships.

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EXPANDINGINTERNATIONALCOOPERATIONONCONNECTIVITYBuildingabroadcoalitionofsupportforexpandingInternetconnectivityiscriticaltointernationaleffortstobridgethedigitaldivide.TheSteeringGroupagencieshavesoughttobringtogetherabroadrangeofstakeholderstoraiseawarenessoftheimportanceofconnectivitytodevelopmentandtocatalyzefurtheraction.Ahighpriorityhasbeentobuildsupportamongdevelopmentorganizationsandinternationalfinancialinstitutions.Thisefforthasalsoextendedtomultilateralorganizations–bothglobalandregional–aswellastoindividualpartnercountriesandhasrangedfromArgentinatoASEANandfromtheG-7totheArcticCouncil.LaunchoftheGlobalConnectInitiativeOnSeptember27,2015,theDepartmentofStatelaunchedtheGlobalConnectInitiativeonthemarginsofthe70thsessionoftheUnitedNations(UN)GeneralAssemblyinNewYork.Withthisinitiallaunch,theUnitedStatesbegantheprocessofbuildingacoalitionofsupportfortheinitiativeanditsgoalofconnectingthenext1.5billiontotheInternetby2020.TheUnderSecretaryofStateforEconomicGrowth,EnergyandtheEnvironmentwasjoinedatthelaunchbytheWorldBankPresidentandthethenPresidentsofEstoniaandTanzania.ThelaunchoftheinitiativeresultedimmediatelyinendorsementsbyawidevarietyofstakeholdersincludingMicrosoft,Facebook,Ericsson,HumanRightsWatch,Article19,andPublicKnowledge.BuildingInternationalSupport

GlobalConnectInitiativeHighLevelEventinWashington,D.C.,

onApril14,2016

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Inlate2015andearly2016,theDepartmentofStateledanefforttofurtherbuildaninternationalcoalitionofsupportfortheinitiative.TheDepartmentofStateestablishedasetofConnectivityPrinciplesinordertoarticulatethefoundationoftheinitiativethatstakeholderswerebeingaskedtosupport.U.S.embassiesanddiplomaticmissionswereaskedtoinformgovernmentsandotherstakeholdersaroundtheworldabouttheinitiativeandaskthemtoexpresssupport.Asaresultofthisintenseglobaloutreach,morethan40countrieshaveexpressedsupport.Moreinformationaboutsupportersoftheinitiativecanbefoundhere.InDecember2015,theDepartmentofStatehostedaGlobalConnectInitiativeeventinNewYorkonthemarginsofaUNGeneralAssemblyHighLevelMeetingonthe10-yearreviewoftheWorldSummitontheInformationSociety(WSIS+10).TheDepartmentofStateconvenedtheeventwithMinistersfromPakistanandEstonia,aswellaskeyindustryplayers.HostingthiseventonthemarginsoftheWSIS+10allowedtheDepartmentofStatetohighlighthowtheGlobalConnectInitiativehelpsmeettheICTneedsofdevelopingcountriesandiscontributingtotheUN2030AgendaforSustainableDevelopment.April2016HighLevelEventTogetherwiththeWorldBankPresident,theSecretaryofStatehostedaGlobalConnectInitiativeHighLevelEventattheWorldBankonApril14,2016,wheretheywerejoinedbymorethan150participantsinsupportoftheinitiativeanditsunderlyingobjectives.Financeministersandotherseniorofficialsfromover30countriesattendedtheeventalongwithpresidentsofmultilateraldevelopmentbanksandprivatesectorandcivilsocietyleaders.TheeventhelpedfurtherraiseawarenesswithinthedevelopmentfinancecommunityoftheimportanceofInternetconnectivitytoeconomicandsocialdevelopment.InassociationwiththeHighLevelEvent,stakeholdershighlightedmorethan65newandexistingprogramsandinitiativesvaluedatover$20billioninsupportofconnectivityaroundtheworld.Theseprogramsaccountedforongoingandplannedinvestmentsvaluedinthetensofbillionsofdollars,inmanycasesleveragingpublicinvestmenttosupportlargerprivatesectorinvestmentinconnectivityinfrastructure.UnitedNationsBroadbandCommissiononSustainableDevelopmentOnSeptember18,2016,theUnderSecretaryofStateforEconomicGrowth,EnergyandtheEnvironmentparticipatedintheannualmeetingoftheUNBroadbandCommissiononSustainableDevelopmentinNewYorkandpresentedthegoalsandactivitiesbehindtheGlobalConnectInitiative,describinghowtheydovetailwiththeUN2030AgendaforSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)andUNgoalsforconnectivity.ManyothercommissionersexpressedsupportforthekeyobjectivesoftheGlobalConnectInitiativeand,inparticular,werekeenonfinding

UNBroadbandCommission(NewYork,USA2016,ITUPictures)

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waystoacceleratemajorinfrastructureprojectsamongsttheinternationaldevelopmentfinanceinstitutions.TheCommissionsupportedthecalloftheUnderSecretaryofStateforEconomicGrowth,EnergyandtheEnvironmentforrepresentativesofmultinationaldevelopmentbanks(MDBs)toparticipateinthenextmeetingoftheCommissioninordertojointlydiscussMDBeffortstosupportbroadbandexpansion.G-7andG-20LedbytheDepartmentsofStateandCommercerespectively,theU.S.delegationstotheG-7andG-20helpedensureendorsementbymemberstatesofthegoaloftheGlobalConnectInitiativetoconnectthenext1.5billionpeopletotheInternetby2020.JointstatementsofbothmultilateralgroupsincludedcommitmentstothisgoalandtheJointDeclarationbyG-7ICTMinisterswelcomedtheGlobalConnectInitiativespecifically.AdvancingConnectivitythroughTradeGrowthindigitaltradeandincreasedinvestmentintelecommunicationsandrelatedtechnologyinfrastructurecontributepositivelytoincreasedglobalInternetconnectivity.TheOfficeoftheU.S.TradeRepresentative(USTR)workstohelpachievethesegoalsthroughthenegotiationofbindingtradecommitmentsandtheendorsementofbestpracticesfordigitaltrade,andthroughhighlightingthevalueoftheInternetfordevelopment,includingthroughenhancedexportopportunitiesforsmallbusinessesandagriculturalproducers.U.S.tradeagreementsincludestrongrulestoensurefreeflowsofdata,supportthecompetitivetelecommunicationssystemsthatreducecostsandthereforeeaseaccess,andrequirepartiestoadoptconsumerprotection,anti-spam,andprivacypolicies.USTRreportssuchastheannualNationalTradeEstimateonForeignTradeBarriersandthe2016BeyondAGOA:LookingtotheFutureofU.S.-AfricaTradeandInvestmentcomplementthesebyenhancingtheawarenessofstakeholders,press,anddeveloping-countrygovernmentsofthepotentialdigitaltradeholdsforgrowthandtheriskdigitaltradebarriersandforcedlocalizationrulesposeforraisingpricesandreducingthequalityofservice.UnitedStates-ArgentinaGlobalConnectPartnershipTheDepartmentofStateandtheMinistryofCommunicationsofArgentinaheldtwosessionsoftheU.S.-ArgentinaDigitalEconomyWorkingGroup(DEWG):theofficiallaunchonAugust10,2016,inBuenosAires,andasecondmeetingonNovember2,2016,inWashington,D.C.AtthefirstDEWGsession,thetwocountriesannouncedthatArgentinawouldbeapartnercountryundertheGlobalConnectInitiativeanddecidedtodevelopaworkplanofcooperativeactivitiestohelpArgentinaachieveitsconnectivitygoals.AtthesecondDEWGsession,theUnitedStatessharedadraftGlobalConnectInitiativeworkplanonconnectivitywithArgentina.U.S.privatesectorrepresentativesandotherstakeholdersalsoparticipatedintheevent.TheGovernmentofArgentinarequestedsupportfromtheDepartmentofStateincarryingoutICT-relatedreforms.Inparticular,ArgentinahasrequestedhelpfromtheU.S.governmentandindustryalike,aswellasotherstakeholders,regardingtherevisionofArgentina’sunderlyingtelecommunicationslawandresultingregulations.InaworkshoponJune1,2016,theFCC

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andDepartmentofStateprovidedcapacitybuildingintelecommunicationsregulation,spectrummanagement,andpublicadvisorycommittees.ArgentinaandtheU.S.TelecommunicationsTrainingInstitute(USTTI)alsoarediscussingamemorandumonfuturecapacitybuildingopportunities.Argentinaisseekingtoencourageinvestmentinandthedevelopmentofitsbroadbandinfrastructure,particularlyinthenorthernpartofthecountry.TheUnitedStatesandArgentinahavediscussedhowtheycanworkwiththeInter-AmericanDevelopmentBank(IDB)andtheWorldEconomicForumontheirrespectiveprogramsaimedatexpandingconnectivityinArgentina.TheDepartmentofStateissupportingArgentinainitsattemptstodevelopatrulyopen,competitive,andtransparenttelecommunicationssector.U.S.-TunisiaJointEconomicCommissionAttheMay6,2016,inauguralsessionoftheU.S.-TunisiaJointEconomicCommission(JEC)inWashington,D.C.,thegovernmentsandprivatesectorstakeholdersofbothcountriesmadecommitmentstosupportinitiativesinthreekeysectors:Agro/Food,SmallandMediumEnterprises,andICT.BasedontheTunisiangovernment’sApril14,2016,expressionofinterestinpartneringwiththeUnitedStatesundertheGlobalConnectInitiative,thediscussionsintheJECSubgrouponICTexaminedwaystoworktogethertoachievetheDigitalTunisia2020goalofconnectingallTunisianstotheInternetinthenextfouryears.Keyconsiderationsincludeincreasingforeigninvestment,identifyingcollaborativepublicandprivateinitiativestobuildnetworks,andjobcreationforTunisianyouth.Inthisregard,theDepartmentofStatehasworkedwiththeU.S.governmentinteragencytofurtherexplorehowtheUnitedStatesandTunisiacancooperateundertheGlobalConnectInitiative.OnOctober20,2016,theU.S.SpecialRepresentativetoMuslimCommunitiesmetwiththeTunisianStateSecretaryforDigitalEconomy,whoexpressedthenewlyelectedTunisiangovernment’sinterestinimplementingstrategiesandprojectstoexpandInternetaccessinTunisia.U.S.-IndiaBusinessCouncilDigitalInfrastructureWorkingGroup

Since2009,USTDAhassupportedalmost200projectsworldwide,leadingtoover$832millioninU.S.exportstosupportsmartsolutionsforsmartcities.

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InAugust2016theDepartmentsofCommerceandState,togetherwiththeFCCandUSTDA,participatedinaseriesofmeetingsaspartoftheDigitalInfrastructure,InnovationandEntrepreneurshipWorkingGroupoftheUS-IndiaCEOForum.TheU.S.delegationengagedwithseniorofficialsfromthegovernmentofIndiaatthefederalandstatelevel,includingtheTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndia(TRAI)inNewDelhi,whilemajorU.S.andIndiancompaniesalsoparticipated,includingGoogle,Facebook,Tata,Airtel,AmericanTower,andAutodesk.IndianofficialsexpressedsupportforengagingundertheGlobalConnectinitiativeinordertocomplimenttheDigitalIndiaefforttobuildoutbroadbandanddigitalinfrastructureinIndia.USTDAofferedtoholdGlobalConnectInitiative“reversetrademissions”forinterestedIndiangovernmentofficialstoWashington,D.C.,and/orSiliconValley,followedbyaworkshopinIndiatoexplorewaysthatU.S.companiescansupportIndia’sconnectivitygoalsthroughexportofinnovativeU.S.technologysolutions.TheDepartmentofCommerceindicateditwouldholdanotherseriesofdigitalinfrastructureworkshopsinsixmonths’timeandisworkingcloselyonthiswiththeConfederationofIndianIndustriesandtheBusinessCouncilforInternationalUnderstanding.U.S.-ASEANDigitalEconomySeriesInSeptember2016,attheU.S.-ASEANSummitinVientiane,Laos,theUnitedStatesannouncedanewU.S.-ASEANDigitalEconomySeriesastheflagship2017initiativeunderU.S.-ASEANConnect,whichistheUnitedStates’strategicframeworkforeconomicengagementwithASEAN.TheDigitalEconomySeriesaimstosupportASEANintacklingthebarrierstodigitaleconomydevelopmentthroughpublic-privatedialogues,capacity-buildingworkshopsandtrainings,aswellaspeople-to-peopleexchangesondiversetopics,includingdigitalentrepreneurshipanddigitalinclusion.TheSeriesbuildsonexistingcooperationundertheU.S.-ASEANICTWorkPlan,whichfeaturesapillaronbridgingthedigitaldivide.In2016,theDepartmentofState,withsupportfromtheFCC,USAID,andThailand’sNationalBroadcastandTelecommunicationsCommission,organizedaworkshopinBangkokforover30ASEANengineersandpolicymakersonspectrummanagementinsupportoftheGlobalConnectInitiativeandU.S.-ASEANConnect.CatalyzingEconomicGrowththroughBroadbandInfrastructureinBrazilIn2015,USTDAsignedaMemorandumofUnderstandingwiththeAssociationofStateInformationTechnologyCompaniesofBraziltocreatetheU.S.-BrazilInformationandCommunicationsTechnologiesPartnership.ThroughthePartnership,participantsareexpandingcooperationandexchangingbestpracticesformodernizinginformationtechnologyandtelecommunicationsinfrastructure.Complementingthismemorandum,overthelasteightyears,USTDAhasworkedin11statesinBraziltoexpandbroadbandaccesstocitizensacrossthecountry.USTDArecentlylaunchedatechnicalassistanceproject,whichwillsupporttheexpansionoftheexistinghybridfiberandwirelessbroadbandnetworkinordertoprovideconnectivityande-governmentservicesthroughouttheStateofSergipeinnortheastBrazil.Byexpandingthatstate’sexistingnetwork,approximately2.2millioncitizenswillhavedigitalcommunicationaccess.

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PromotingWirelessConnectivityintheWestBankOnNovember19,2015,IsraelandthePalestinianAuthoritysigneda“PrinciplesAgreement”ontheassignmentofspectrumtoPalestinianmobileoperatorsforthedeploymentof3GwirelessservicesinthePalestinianTerritories.Thishistoricbilateralagreementwasrecognizedintheoutcomeofthe2015WorldRadiocommunicationConferenceheldundertheauspicesoftheInternationalTelecommunicationUnion(ITU),theUNspecializedagencyforglobaltelecommunication.TheDepartmentofStatehasbeensupportingtheeffortsofbothsidestoovercomechallenges,fullyimplementtheagreementandprovideneededaccesstomobilebroadbandinthePalestinianTerritories.EngagingCubaonExpandingConnectivitySincere-establishmentofdiplomaticrelationswithCubainDecember2014,theDepartmentofStatehasledtwointeragencytripstoHavana–inMarch2015andJanuary2016–tomeetwiththeCubanMinistryofCommunicationsandotherministries,andlearnmoreaboutCubanICTstructure.TheU.S.governmenthasusedsuchengagementstodiscussICT’sroleinCuba’seconomicdevelopmentandproductivity.ArcticCouncil’sTaskForceonTelecommunicationsInfrastructureintheArcticUpondesignationoftheUnitedStatesasChairoftheArcticCouncilinApril2015,theSecretaryofStateinstitutedanaggressivetwo-yearcampaignthatincludedanewinitiativetoassessthetelecommunicationsinfrastructurethroughouttheArcticregion.Overtheyears,variousArcticCouncilworkinggroupsandexpertshavehighlightedmanyoftheshortcomingsanddifficultiesassociatedwithtelecommunicationsconnectivity,particularlyforbroadband,thatpeopleworkingandlivingintheArcticmustcopewith.TheseconnectivitychallengesareexacerbatedbytheArctictopographyandaccompaniedbyincreasesinhumanactivitythroughouttheArctic.TheArcticCouncilacceptedtheagendaputforwardbytheUnitedStatesandestablishedaTaskForceonTelecommunicationsInfrastructureintheArctic(TFTIA)withatwo-yearmandatetoassesstheexistingtelecommunicationsinfrastructureand,wherepossible,tobegintoidentifyopportunities,suchaspublic-privatepartnerships,tohelpovercomeanyidentifiedshortcomings.AlleightmemberstatesoftheArcticCouncil[Canada,Denmark(representingGreenland),Finland,Iceland,Norway,Russia,SwedenandtheUnitedStates]participatedactivelyintheTFTIAandhavepreparedtheirassessment,whichwillbepresentedtotheArcticCouncilMinistersinMay2017.TheDepartmentofStatewillcontinuetocollaboratewiththeArcticCouncilmemberstatesandthetelecommunicationsindustrytobetteridentifycurrentopportunitiesforexpandingtelecommunicationsavailabilityintheArctic,aswellastobetterunderstandandassessnear-termindustryinitiativesthatwillgreatlyenhanceconnectivityforresidentsandbusinessesintheArctic.Whencombinedwiththeimminentindustryactivitiesfornewconnectivity,theseeffortsshouldresultinsignificantenhancementstotheavailabilityoftelecommunicationsservicesintheArcticandgreatlyenhancetheusers’experiences.

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PrioritizingConnectivityinDevelopmentintheAmericasRegionTheDepartmentofStatehasworkedcloselywiththeInter-AmericanTelecommunicationCommission(CITEL),which,asthetelecomarmoftheOrganizationofAmericanStates(OAS),isstronglycommittedtoincreasedconnectivityintheAmericas,tobuildinternationalsupportfortheGlobalConnectInitiative.Lastyear,CITELledthewayfortheAmericasregiontobecomethefirstintheworldtoformallyendorsetheprinciplesoftheinitiative.Thisyear,CITELisincreasingeffortstomakeconnectivityaprioritynotonlyforitsownactivitiesbutalsofortheOASmorewidely.OtherMultilateralEngagementU.S.delegatesatseveralhigh-levelforumstooktheopportunitytopromotetheGlobalConnectInitiativeamongdelegatesandshareinformationaboutitsrelevancetotheirwork.AtaMay2016WorldSummitontheInformationSocietyForumcoordinatedbytheITUandotherUNagencies,theDepartmentofStatedescribedhowtheGlobalConnectInitiativecanleveragetheeffortsandexperienceofgovernments,internationalorganizations,industry,technicalgroups,civilsociety,andotherstakeholderstohelpconnectthenext1.5billionpeopletotheInternetby2020.AllstakeholdersattheeventwereencouragedtopubliclysupporttheseGlobalConnectInitiativegoals.U.S.representativesgavesimilarpresentationsattheJuneandNovembermeetingsoftheAsiaPacificEconomicCooperation’sTelecommunicationsWorkingGroupandattheOrganizationforEconomicCooperationandDevelopment’sNovember2016meetingofitsWorkingPartyonCommunicationInfrastructuresandServicesPolicy.Followingthesepresentations,representativesfromseveraldelegationsmadefollow-upinquiriesabouthowtheycouldparticipate.OtherBilateralEngagementTheDepartmentofStatehasexploreddeepercooperationundertheGlobalConnectInitiativewithotherbilateralpartnersinaseriesofdialoguesanddiscussions,includingtheU.S.-JapanInternetEconomyDialogue,theU.S.-EUInformationSocietyDialogue,theU.S.-KoreaICTPolicyWorkingGroup,theU.S.-IndiaICTWorkingGroup,andtheUnitedStates’DialoguePartnershipwithASEANTelecommunicationsSeniorOfficials.

AloanofficertryingoutDFSforthefirsttime

(USAID)

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FINANCINGCONNECTIVITYInvestmentininfrastructureisanessentialcomponentofanystrategytoexpandconnectivity.U.S.financingforsuchinvestmentandotherassistancetoexpandconnectivityhashadasubstantialimpactoneffortstobridgethedigitaldivide.PrivatesectorpartnershavereceivedfinancingfromtheOPICforinitiativesinIndia,Myanmar,andKenya,whicharebringingnewwirelessaccesstotheunconnected.TheDepartmentsofStateandTreasuryhavealsoworkedcloselywithMDBstoencourageincreasesindevelopmentfinancingforconnectivityinitiativesandtopromotetheideathatconnectivitygoalsshouldbetakenintoaccountduringtheconstructionofotherinfrastructurethroughapproachessuchasa“dig-once”policy.U.S.LendingforConnectivityInfrastructure

SixinvestmentshavebeensupportedbyOPICsincethelaunchoftheGlobalConnectInitiative,includingupto$171millioninfinancingtoTikonaDigitalNetworksinIndia.ThissupportstheexpansionofTikona’slow-cost,rapidlyscalablewirelessbroadbandnetworksacrossIndia,whichlackswidespreadbroadbandserviceavailability.RecentstudiesshowthatincreasedbroadbandpenetrationislinkedtoGDPgrowthindevelopingcountries.OPICsupporttoTikonawillpromoteInternetadoptionamongresidentialandcommercialconsumersinIndiaandadvancethiscriticalfoundationforeconomicandsocialdevelopment.OPICalsoapprovedaloanforApolloTowersMyanmar,Ltd.inMyanmarforupto$250millioninfinancing.ApolloTowerswilluseanOPICloanforthedevelopmentofanetworkof2,500telecommunicationstowersacrossMyanmar,oneofthelastplacesintheworldwithoutwidespreadinfrastructureforthistechnology.OnlythreepercentofMyanmar’s50millionresidentshadaccessto

OPICofficialsmeetwiththeteamatApolloTowerswhoarebuildingtheinfrastructuretobringmobileconnectivitytoruralMyanmar.

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mobilephonesin2011.OPIC’ssupporttoApolloTowersisexpectedtocreatetheinfrastructurethatwillcontributetoagoalof75%mobileaccessforMyanmar’speopleby2016.Inadditiontobringingwidespreadinformationaccesstomillionsofpeople,OPIC’ssupporttoApolloTowerswillprovideavaluabledemonstrationeffectfordevelopmentinthisnewlyopenedmarket.Upto$4.1millioninfinancingisbeinglentbyOPICtoMawinguNetworks,aproviderofsolar-poweredwirelessInternetacrossruralKenya.ApressreleasefromOPICdescribingtheprogramcanbefoundhere.OtherU.S.SupportforConnectivityFinancing

TheOPIC-supportedSirajPalestineFundI,aprivateequityfund,recentlymadeaninvestmentinAppMahalTechLtd.Itsproduct,alsocalled“AppMahal,”isasmartphoneapplicationthathelpsArabiclanguagespeakersdiscoverandsharenewappsbyusingasocialnetworktocollectdata,whichitfeedsintoanalgorithmthatpredictswhichappsmightinteresttheusermost.Theapplicationaimstobecomethe“Facebookofmobileapplications.”AppMahaliscurrentlyavailableforAndroidphones,andithasbeendownloadedinexcessofonemilliontimessince2014.AppMahalcurrentlyfocusesonArabic-speakingmarkets,withaplantoeventuallytargetothermarkets,suchasSpanish-speakingmarkets.OPICalsosupportedtherecentinvestmentsbyUnitusImpact’sLivelihoodImpactFund(LIF)inmobiletechnologycompanies–iCareBenefitsandPTRUMA.iCareBenefitsisaVietnameseonlineretailertargetinglow-incomefactoryworkersinmedium-to-large-sizedcompanies.iCareBenefits

partnerswithlargeemployersandemployeeunionsinVietnamtomarketitsinnovativee-commerceandelectronictransactionprocessingplatformthatsellsgoodsandservicesusinglow-costinstallmentfinancetolow-incomeVietnameseworkers.ThroughiCare,VietnamesefactoryworkerscanaccessanonlineplatformthatsellsgoodsandservicesdeliveredthroughanetworkofiCarecenters,storefrontlocationsatornearpartnerfactories.PTRUMAisanIndonesianretailerthatsellsaselectionofproductsandservicesviaanAndroidandSMS-basedplatform,usinganetworkofsmallshopkeeperagents.Mapan,Ruma’sstoredvalueproduct,allowscustomerstosaveandpurchaseproductsfromacatalogue.Establishedin2009,Rumamarketsitsprogrambothtolow-incomeshopkeepers,who

InspectionofthenewlyinstalledelectricalsubmarinecableatitsemergencealongtheshoresofZanzibar.TheMillenniumChallengeCorporationincreasedelectricalinfrastructureontheZanzibarArchipelagobybringingthenewcablefrom

mainlandTanzania,constructingnewelectricalsub-stationsandinstallingnewpowerlines.

(MillenniumChallengeCorporation–Zanzibar,Tanzania–October29,2012–PhotobyJakeLyell)

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receivebusinesstrainingsandadditionalincomethroughthesaleofRumaproducts,aswellastolow-incomecustomers,whogainimprovedandlower-costaccesstoproductsandservices.ProductsandservicesofferedbyRuma’splatformincludeelectronics,housewares,apparelandprepaidcellphoneairtime.InApril2016,theExport-ImportBankoftheUnitedStates(EXIM)hostedatitsAnnualConferenceapaneldiscussionfocusedontheGlobalConnectInitiativethatfeaturedtheUnderSecretaryofStateforEconomicGrowth,EnergyandtheEnvironment..EXIMalsoencouragedapplicationsfor,andmaintainedfrequentcommunicationwith,majorU.S.exportersofsatellites,satellitelaunchservices,submarinefiberopticcables,andothercommunicationsequipmentandservicesthroughout2016.However,thelackofaquorumonEXIM’sBoardofDirectorsthroughoutfiscalyear2016prohibitedapprovaloftransactionsvaluedatmorethan$10million.WhileEXIMwasabletocompletesmallertransactionstotaling$40millionrelatedtoconnectivity,mostlyinsupportofU.S.smallbusinessexporters,EXIM’sabilitytosupportevenmoreU.S.jobsandexportsforprojectsinthemarketsofGlobalConnectInitiativepartnercountrieswassignificantlycurtailedin2016.OutreachtoMultilateralDevelopmentBanksTheGlobalConnectInitiativedrewswift,high-levelsupportfrommanyofthemultilateraldevelopmentbanks(MDBs),mostfromnotablythePresidentoftheWorldBank,whoco-hostedwiththeSecretaryofStateahigh-leveleventattendedbyfinanceanddevelopmentministersandinternationalleadersofbusinessandindustry.Tocontinuethemomentum,theDepartmentsofTreasuryandStateco-ledtheSteeringGroup’seffortstoadvancepartnershipswithMDBstakeholdersensuringacoordinated,consistent,andinclusiveinteragencyapproachtoidentifyingstrategiesforfosteringpartnershipswithMDBsoninternationalconnectivityendeavors.ThisalsoincludedadvocatingforMDBstomakeICTandconnectivityadvancementanintegralpartoftheirpolicies,projects,andoperations.TheDepartmentofStateengagedwithMDBsdirectlytoadvancetheGlobalConnectInitiativebysupportingincreasedlendingforconnectivityandadvocatingforpolicychangestoraisetheprofileofconnectivity.Forexample,theDepartmentofStatepromotedcross-departmentaldiscussionofconnectivitywithintheWorldBankspanningregionalbureaus,theTransportandICTGlobalPracticeGroup,andtheExternalandCorporateRelationsDepartment.Asaresult,WorldBankofficialsidentifiedtheneedforapolicychangetobetteraccountforInternetconnectivityintheWorldBankSystemCountryDiagnosticprocess.TheUnderSecretaryofStateforEconomicGrowth,EnergyandtheEnvironmentheldtwoimportantmeetingswithregionaldevelopmentbanks:onewiththePresidentoftheEuropeanBankforReconstructionandDevelopmenttoadvocatefortheGlobalConnectInitiativeanddigitaleconomicdevelopmentandanotherwithPresidentoftheInter-AmericanDevelopmentBank(IDB)toexpressappreciationforIDB’sleadershipinconnectivityandencourageevenmorefinancing.TheDepartmentofStateprovidedinputtotheIDBonitsArgentinaCountryPartnershipStrategyfor2016-2019totakeintoaccountInternetconnectivityasaconstrainttogrowth.TheDepartmentofStatealsohelddiscussionswiththeAfricanDevelopmentBanktoadvanceconnectivitybyexploringhowwecanworktogetheronconnectivitychallengesinAfrica,includinganOctober28,2016,meetingattheBank’sheadquartersinAbidjan.

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TheEuropeanInvestmentBank(EIB),aGlobalConnectInitiativeStakeholder,signedaEUR116millionloanagreementwithElCorteInglésinSpaintofinancethecompany'sdigitaltransition;ElCorteIngléswillusethisEIBfinancingtoexpandtheinvestmentneededtoprovideitscustomerswithanewintegratedonlineretailplatform,enablingittostrengthenitsmultichannelonlineandmobilesales,andcreateefficientsynergieswithitsbrick-and-mortarstores.(Note:theUnitedStatesisnotamemberoftheEIB.)SupportforMultilateralDevelopmentBankConnectivityProjectsTheUnitedStatesalsosupportedthefollowingMDBprojectswithsignificantconnectivityelements:

•ThePanamaOnlineProgram,a$22millionIDBprojecttoensurethateffortstomakegovernmentservicesavailableonlinebenefitcitizenslivinginpoverty.•TheVirginMobilePeruproject,a$13millionWorldBank-InternationalFinanceCorporationoperationforVirginMobiletoprovideprepaidmobileservices–voice,messagingandmultimedia–aswellasinnovativedataplanstoitsclients.•TheWaveCatcherprogram,a$40millionWorldBank-InternationalFinanceCorporationoperationtosupportthedesign,construction,andoperationofanationwideindependentwholesalemobilebroadbandnetworkinMexicotoprovideIPconnectivityservicestomobilenetworkoperators,mobilevirtualnetworkoperators,andmobileservicesproviders.•TheToscaproject,a$23millionEuropeanBankforReconstructionandDevelopmentoperationtointroducenewtechnologyandtheexpansionofcommunicationnetworksinboththefixed-lineandmobilesegmentsinKosovo,therebyincreasingbroadbandcoverageandpenetration.•TheeGabonproject,a$56millionWorldBankoperationtoimprovethetimelinessandavailabilityofinformationtosupportthedeliveryandmanagementofpublichealthservicesandfosterthedevelopmentandroll-outofe-healthapplicationsandservices.•TheIndiaThinkandLearnproject,a$13millionWorldBank-InternationalFinanceCorporationoperationtosupportThinkandLearnPvt.Ltd.,anIndiansupplierofonlineandmobile-basededucationalcontentforprimaryandsecondarystudents.•TheTelecommunicationsTowerInfrastructureProjectforMyanmar,a$50millionAsianDevelopmentBankoperationtosupporttherolloutofupto5,000towersnationwidethatareessentialinenablingtelecommunicationoperatorstoprovideafullrangeofmobileanddataservicesinMyanmar.

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IMPLEMENTINGDEVELOPMENTASSISTANCEUSAIDandotheragenciesalsoprovidedirectassistancetoforeigngovernmentsinexpandingconnectivity.Suchassistancehasaddressedboth“supplyside”needs,suchastechnicalassistanceinthedevelopmentofnationalbroadbandplans,and“demandside”needs,forexample,withdigitalliteracyprograms.OtherassistanceinitiativesundertakenbyU.S.agencieshavesoughttoaddressthegendergapinInternetaccessandtopreserveandrestoreconnectivityafternaturaldisasters.GlobalBroadbandandInnovationsProgramProjectsLiberiaIn2014and2015,EbolacostLiberiathousandsoflivesandhard-earneddevelopmentandeconomicgains.InternetaccessisvitalfordiseasesurveillanceandhealthinformationsystemstodetectandpreventfutureoutbreaksofEbolaandotherdiseases.TheU.S.governmentishelpingLiberiarebuildstrongerthanbeforetopreventanddetectfutureoutbreaks.Aspartofthiswork,USAIDisworkingcloselywiththeLiberiangovernmenttostrengthenthecountry’stelecommunicationssector.Liberiaisamongtheworld'sleastconnectedcountries.InvestmentsinconnectivityopenuppossibilitiesfortelemedicineandmHealth(mobilehealth)inacountrywithtremendoushealthcareworkershortages.ImprovedconnectivityalsohasthepowertoimprovecommunicationsbetweentheMinistryofHealth,healthcareworkers,andcommunitiestohelpdetectandstopfutureoutbreaksbeforetheystart.USAID’sworksupportstheLiberiangovernmentinitsvisiontomodernizethecountry'sinformationcommunicationstechnologypoliciesandregulatorycapabilities,incollaborationwithpartnerssuchastheAllianceforAffordableInternetandtheGlobalBroadbandandInnovationsAlliance.Throughthiswork,theLiberiangovernmenthasmadeastrongcommitmenttoadvancemarketconditionsthatfosteropenandaffordableaccessforLiberiancitizensandbusinesses.Inaddition,USAIDispartneringwiththeprivatesectortoexpandcommunicationsinfrastructureinLiberia,includingco-investmentswithalocaltelecommunicationsprovidertoconnectperi-urbanandruralhealthandeducationfacilities,aswellasworkingwithGoogleandtheGovernmentofLiberiatobringhigh-speedcommunicationsinfrastructuretothecountry'scapitalcityofMonrovia.Aspartofthispartnership,Googlewillofferreducedratesforgovernment,medical,andeducationalfacilities.Throughpublic-privatepartnerships,USAIDunlocksinvestmentintosectorsthatareimportantfordevelopmentthroughco-investmentwiththeprivatesectorata1:1levelorgreater.

Many,ifnotmost,mobiledeviceusersinYangonhaveembracedthesmartphoneortabletdevices

(Yangon,Myanmar,USAID)

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Buildingontheseactivities,USAIDhasprovidedanadditional$10milliontosupportconnectedprogramslikehealthinformationsystems,e-government,andexpansionofdigitalfinancialsystems.ItalsosupportslocaldigitalentrepreneursbyprovidingaccesstoaUSAIDloanguaranteeprogramforqualifiedsmallandmedium-sizebusinesses.IndonesiaOverthepasttwoyears,theIndonesiangovernmentandMicrosofthaveconnectedmorethan800remotetownsandvillagestotheInternet,buildingonthesuccessofamulti-yearpartnershipwithUSAIDandNetHope,anon-governmentalorganization(NGO)whichjoinstheworld’slargestnonprofitswithtechnologyinnovatorsworldwide.ThispartnershipbeganwiththedesignofIndonesia’sNationalBroadbandPlan,whichwasannouncedin2014.USAIDandNetHopeteamedwiththeIndonesiangovernmenttobuildconsensusandsetstrategicprioritiesacrossministriesandtheprivatesectorinthecreationofthisplan.Thepartnershipteam,composedoflocalandinternationalspecialists,developedtheframeworkforgatheringinputontheplanandinterviewedstakeholdersacrossgovernmentreform,health,education,logistics,andprocurementsectors.FollowingonthedesignofthisNationalBroadbandPlan,USAID,theIndonesiangovernment,andNetHopeidentifiedTVwhitespacetechnologyasaparticularlyusefultechnologyforconnectingIndonesia’sremoteislandstotheInternet.Throughout2014and2015,USAIDandNetHopesuccessfullypilotedthetechnologyintheYogyakartaregionofJava,anditssuccesshasledtothegovernmentofIndonesia’scurrenteffortstoscalethetechnologyto1,600communitiesacrossthecountry.TheIndonesiaBroadbandPlanandtheIndonesiangovernment’sconnectivityeffortsareexpectedtounlock$23billionininvestmentsandconnectupto100millionIndonesians,40,000schools,and5,000healthclinicstotheInternetby2019.BotswanaInpartnershipwithabroadconsortiumofpartners(MicrosoftCorporation,theBotswanaInnovationHub,GlobalBroadbandSolutions,VistaLifeSciences,BotswanaFibreNetwork,UniversityofPennsylvania,VistaLifeSciences,andNetHope),USAIDlaunchedProjectKgolaganoin2015.Throughtheproject,TVwhitespacewirelesstechnologyisusedtoconnectpatientsinruralareasofBotswanawithmedicalspecialistslocatedinmoreurbanareas.Theproject,whichfocusesspecificallyonmaternalhealth,iscurrentlyoperatinginhospitalsandclinicsinLobatse,Francistown,andMaun,withthehopeofexpandingtootherlocales.JamaicaIn2015and2016USAIDpartneredwithNetHope,Microsoft,FLOW,andtheJamaicanUniversalServiceFundtobringcutting-edgeTVwhitespacewirelesstechnologyto31schools,libraries,andothercommunitylocationsinruralareasaroundJamaica.NetHopeandMicrosoftcontinuetoprovideoversightandtechnicalsupportforthepilotandareworkingtoleverageothereducationandcommunity-focusedtechnologygrantsandprojectsforthenewlyconnectedlocations.ThepilotbuildsupontheVision2030JamaicaNationalDevelopmentPlan,which,amongotherthings,focusesonexpandingaffordablebroadbandintoruralcommunities.

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KenyaFrom2013to2015,USAIDpartneredwithMicrosofttoprovideseedfundingtoMawinguNetworks,aKenyanstartuputilizingcutting-edgeTVwhitespacewirelesstechnologyandlowcostsolarpowertoprovidebroadbandInternettoremote,ruralcommunitiesinKenya.ThisseedgranthelpedenableMawingutoestablishitsbusinessmodelwithapilotprograminLaikipiaCounty.Asaresultofthesuccessofthispilotprogram,OPICannounceda$4.1milliondollarloanguaranteeinSeptember2016toenableexpansionofMawingu’snetworkacrossruralKenya.Inaddition,thedemonstrationofMawingu’sbusinessmodelhasledtotheinvestmentofventurecapitalists,includingPaulG.Allen’sVulcanInc.,inexpandingthenetwork’sreachbeyonditscurrent300hotspots.PhilippinesSince2013,USAIDhasbroughtexpandedInternetconnectivitytoruralareasoftheDanajonReefinthePhilippinesasapartofthe“ECOFISH”program,whichfocusesonempoweringcommunitiestoreportillegalintrusionsintoMarineProtectedAreaswithnewtechnology.Overthepastthreeyears,throughapartnershipwithNetHopeandMicrosoft,thePhilippinegovernmenthasconnectedschoolsandcommunitycentersinsixremotemunicipalitiestotheInternetviaTVwhitespace,benefittingmorethan250,000people.ClosingtheDigitalGenderDivideGenderDigitalDivideAssessmentandEducationToolsUSAID’sDigitalInclusionteamhasdevelopedaseriesofnewtools,settolaunchinearly2017,focusedonthegenderdigitaldivide.OneoftheprimaryissuespreventingeffectivepolicyactiontoaddressthegendergapinaccessandusageofmobiledevicesandInternetisthelackofhigh-quality,standardizeddataontheproblem.Tothisend,USAIDhasbeenworkingoverthepastyeartodevelopasurveytoolkitdesignedtoallowNGOs,governments,andacademicstocollectstandardizedandactionabledataonthegenderdigitaldivide.Thistoolkitwillbeavailableinearly2017.Inaddition,USAIDhaspartneredwithFHI360’smSTARprogramtodeveloptwotrainingprograms–oneonlineandonein-person–thatexplainthefundamentalissuesofthegenderdigitaldivideandhelpfieldstaffthinkthroughpotentialpolicyandprogrammaticsolutions.Theseprogramswillbeavailableforthepublicinearly2017,alongsidethesurveytoolkit.mWomenIn2015,themWomenproject,apartnershipbetweenUSAID,theAustralianAgencyforInternationalDevelopment,theGSMAssociation,andVisa,successfullyconcludeditsworkfocusedonclosingthe

MawinguWifiAffordableInternet(Nanyuki,Kenya,USAID)

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gendergapinaccesstomobilephonesandtheservicestheycanprovide.Overthepastfouryears,thispartnershiphasfocusedonfourmainpillarsofactivity.First,mWomenprovidedhumanresourcegrantstomobileoperatorstoimplementcommerciallyviableandsociallyresponsibleofferingsforwomen.Second,asacomplementtothis,mWomenprovidedgrantsforNGOstocollaboratewithmobileoperatorsindesigningactivitiesthataddressthebarrierstomobilephoneusageamongwomen,particularlytechnicalliteracyandtraditionalattitudessurroundingwomen'sownershipofmobilephones.Third,mWomenconductedresearchintowomen'swantsandneeds,includingformobilevalue-addedservices,suchasmobilepayments.Fourth,mWomenhaspromotedthesharingknowledgeandreplicationofbestpracticesthroughoutthemobileindustryanddevelopmentcommunitythroughthepublicationofnumeroushigh-profilereports.Data2XTheMillenniumChallengeCorporation(MCC)partneredwithData2X,aUNFoundationinitiativewhosegoalistoincreasetheavailabilityandqualityofgenderdata.Throughitscommitmenttothepartnership,MCCcompletedthreeactivitiestoincreasequalityavailabilityanduseofgenderdata:1)MCCledasthefirstagencytouploaditsownsex-disaggregateddatatotheInternationalAidTransparencyInitiative(IATI)standardwebsiteandpublishedablogpostabouttheinternallessons-learnedfromreleasingitssex-disaggregateddata;2)MCChostedaworkshopthatgeneratedrecommendationsforhowIATIcouldbeabetterplatformfordonorsandusersofgenderdataworldwide;and3)MCCorganizedafirst-of-its-kindgenderdatacompetitioninMCCpartnercountryCôted'IvoirethatbroughtlocalcivilsocietyandgovernmentactorstogetherwithIvoiriantechnicalteamstodesignwebsites,applications,andtoolsthatuseorcollectdatatosupportwomen’sandgirls’health,education,andsafety.ThiscompetitionhelpedfosteragenderdataecosysteminCôted'Ivoire,andstimulateinterestandactivitybetweenthegenderissuesandtechnologycommunities.FiberOpticExpansioninBrazil

USTDAbroughtadelegationofBrazilianofficialstotheU.S.toexplorehowcloudcomputingcouldadvanceconnectivityacrossBrazil.Thedelegationexploredtechnologies,serviceprovidersandU.S.

companies,likeGoogle,thatcouldhelpadvancetheirefforts.

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InJune2016,USTDAprovidedagranttoassisttheBrazilianStateofParádesigntheexpansionofitsfiberopticnetwork.ParáisBrazil’ssecondlargeststateinareaandmostpopulousinthenorthernregion.Currently,nearlyhalfofPará’scitizenshaveaccesstoahigh-speedITcommunicationnetworks.Thegoalofthetechnicalassistanceistoidentifythetechnologiesbestsuitedtoincreasethereachofhigh-speedInternetservicetothemaximumnumberofcitizensintheAmazonregion,whichincludesdensetropicalforestsanduneventerraindividedbymajorrivers.Theprojectwillalsoproviderecommendationsforcreatingfreebroadbandaccessthroughpublictelecentersandschools.ConnectingCitizenswithSmartandSustainableInfrastructureinIndiaUSTDA’sSmartSolutionsforSmartCitiesInitiativeutilizesU.S.privatesectorexpertisetodeliverinfrastructureadvisoryandprojectpreparationservicestosupporttheIndiangovernment’sgoalofbuilding100smartcitiesacrossIndiathroughthe“SmartCitiesChallenge.”Throughthisinitiative,USTDAishelpingthreeIndianstategovernmentsidentifyU.S.solutionsthatcanhelpthembuildsmart,connectedandsustainableinfrastructureinthecitiesofAllahabad,Ajmer,andVisakhapatnam.SincethelaunchoftheGlobalConnectInitiative,therehasbeendemonstrableprogressconnectedtoUSTDA’ssmartcitiesworkinIndia.VisakhapatnamwasselectedinthefirstroundoftheChallengeinJanuary2016.Asaresult,USTDA’stechnicalassistanceisfocusedondevelopinganintegratedsmartcitiesmasterplantohelpthecityimplementitssmartcitiesvision.Amongmanyofitsgoals,VisakhapatnamseekstobeoneofthetopfivedigitalcitiesinAsia.Accordingly,USTDA’stechnicalassistanceispreparinganICTarchitectureblueprinttoprepareforlong-termgrowthwithrecommendationsfornear-terminvestmentstoenhanceconnectivityforthepublicandimprovetheefficiencyofcityservices.InAjmer,USTDA’sTechnicalAdvisoryTeamworkedcloselywithcityofficialstohelpthemsucceedinthesecondroundoftheChallengeinSeptember2016.Goingforward,USTDAwillcontinuetoworkwithAjmerasitdevelopsarobustICTconnectivityanddigitalizationframeworktoachieveitssmartcities’vision.Inadditiontoincreasede-citizenservices,AjmerplanstoimplementfreesecuredWi-FiandInternetkiosksinitsdowntownforpublicusebyits2.5millioncitizens.TheWi-Fialsowillserveasthecommunicationbackboneforcityservicesanddatainputtoacentraloperationscenter.RestoringConnectivityduringEmergenciesWhenmajorinternationaldisastersstrike,anincreasinglycoordinatedcadreofinternationalorganizations,NGO’s,andindustryplayersworktopreserveandrestoreconnectivityinaffectedareasforresponseandrecovery.Whereverpossible,theDepartmentofStateandotherrelevantagenciesseektoenabletheseefforts.InJuly2016theDepartmentofStateco-ledanassessmentmissiontoHaitiwiththeUNEmergencyTelecommunicationsCluster(ETC)designedtohelptheETCdevelopaprocesstosupportdevelopingcountriesthatarevulnerabletodisastersinbuilding-upemergencycommunicationsresponsecapacityandincreasingcommunicationsnetworkresilience.WhenHurricaneMatthewbatteredtheSouthernClawofHaitiinOctober,theDepartmentofStateandtheFCCimmediatelylinkedkeyHaitiancontacts

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withcommunicationsresponseentities,offeringtechnicalassistance.ThislegworkhelpedtheUNWorldFoodProgram(WFP),whichleadstheETC,toconvenetheHaitiICTWorkingGroup.Theworkinggroupcoordinatedwiththegovernment,privatesector,andhumanitarianpartnersontheground,providingsharedInternetconnectivityservicesatkeyhumanitarianresponsesites.WFPisfurtherassessingcommunityconnectivityneedsandcontributingtointer-sectoralplansforincreasedcommunityengagement.WithinCITEL,theDepartmentofStateco-authoredajointresolutionwiththeDominicanRepublicinMay2016thatcalledforthecreationofaPreparednessCoordinatingGrouponEmergencyCommunicationsfortheAmericas.TheDepartmentofStateandtheFCCwillassistthecreationofthisgroup,whichwillidentifyaspectsofemergencycommunicationspreparednessandresponseforfurthercapacitybuildingandtrainingandcreateemergencypreparednessandresponsegroupsamongCITELmemberstates.InSeptember2016,theDepartmentofState,withsupportfromtheFCC,helpedtheITU’sDevelopmentSector(ITU-D)organizea“WorkshoponEmergencyTelecommunicationsandDisasterRelief,”inGeneva,Switzerland.TheWorkshopbroughttogetheradiversegroupofstakeholders,includinggovernments,industryrepresentatives,UNorganizations,technologyassociations,andNGOstosharebestpracticesforenablingtheuseofICTsfordisasterriskmitigationandresponse.”PEPFAR/DataCollaborativesforLocalImpact

MCChasenteredintoapartnershipwiththeU.S.President’sEmergencyPlanforAIDSRelief(PEPFAR),knownastheDataCollaborativesforLocalImpact(DCLI)program,toinvest$21.8millioninasetofinterconnectedprojectsatthenationalandsubnationallevelstoengendergreatercapacitytousedata

StudentsstudyusingnewlaptopcomputersatOlukoloJuniorSecondarySchoolinOndangwa,

Namibia.AspartoftheMCC-fundedrenovationandexpansionofOlukolo,studentsreceivednewclassroomblocks,accesstocleanwater,laboratoryandcomputerequipment

andnewtextbooks.

(MillenniumChallengeCorporation–Namibia–March10,2014–PhotobyJakeLyell)

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insub-SaharanAfrica.By2018,thisPEPFAR-fundedDCLIprogramseekstodemonstratepracticalandeffectiveusesofdata–bygovernments,citizensandothersstakeholders–forpolicy-making,data-drivendecision-making,mutualaccountability,transparency,andgreateralignmentofbudgetswithlocalandnationalpriorities.InTanzania,DCLIhasalreadyestablishedadatalab(dLab),which,alongwiththeGlobalDataPartnership,hassparkedthegovernment’sinterestinusingdatatomakebetterdecisionsanddriveprogresstowardtheUNSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs).ThedLabhaslaunchedonlineandin-persontrainingindataliteracyandanalysisaswellasfocusedcontent-areadataanalyticsinhealth,agriculture,andotherpriorityareas.TheDataforLocalImpact(DLI)InnovationChallengeprojectaimstostrategicallysurface,engage,support,andconnectlocalinnovators,entrepreneurs,andothersworkingtodemonstratethevalueofdataandinformationinpriorityPEPFARdistricts.ThefirstDLIchallengecompetitionisunderway;itisfocusedonthehealthsectorandlookingforinnovativewaysthatdatacanenableaccesstohealthcareandinformation,empowercitizensthroughinformation,andstimulatefeedbackfromthecommunityonserviceavailabilityandquality.Throughmultipleroundsofcompetitions,theDLIprojectwillrespondtolocalandnationalprioritiesandcomplementeffortsofthedLab.TheDCLIprogramwillbelaunchingathirdproject,Data-DrivenCommunities,toextendthisefforttothesubnationallevel(districtandwardlevel),wheredevelopmentneedsaregreatestandcapacityofstakeholders,includinglocalgovernmentofficials,smallerNGOsandcommunities,tousedataisweakest.BusinessModelsfortheLastBillionIn2016,USAID,FHI360’smSTARproject,andSSGAdvisorsreleasedthereportBusinessModelsfortheLastBillion:MarketApproachestoIncreasingInternetConnectivity.Thisreporthighlightslow-costbusinessmodelsandtechnologythatcanbeutilizedinseekingtoconnectpopulationsinthemostruralandimpoverishedareasoftheworld,includingdevelopmentsinback-haulnetworkinfrastructure,Internetserviceproviderbusinessmodelinnovationforprovidingservicetothoseinthebaseoftheeconomicpyramid(BOP),theriseoflow-costInternetaccessdevices,locallyrelevantcontent,complementaryservicesofferedtoBOPcustomers(suchaschargingstations),andeffectivepolicyandregulationtoextendservicetopopulationswithoutit.

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BUILDINGCAPACITYONTECHNICALANDREGULATORYBESTPRACTICESAmongthemostcriticalneedsinexpandingconnectivityisapolicyandregulatoryenvironmentthatencouragesinvestmentininfrastructureandinnovativesolutionstoprovidingaffordableaccess.TheFCCandotherU.S.agencieshaveimplementedcapacitybuildingthathassharedU.S.experiencesandbestpracticesindevelopingregulatoryapproachesthatfostercompetitionandattractinvestors.TheU.S.TelecommunicationsTrainingInstitute,apublic-privatepartnershipwithsupportfromtheDepartmentofState,hasplayedanimportantroleinprovidingcapacitybuildingtotelecommunicationsofficialsaroundtheworld.CapacitybuildingactivitiesbySteeringGroupmemberagencieshaveincludedthefollowing:FederalCommunicationsCommission(FCC)InternationalVisitorsProgramTheFCCInternationalVisitorsProgram(IVP)wasestablishedinl993toprovidelegal,technical,andeconomicperspectivesonU.S.telecommunicationsregulationstopolicymakersfromaroundtheworldvisitingtheFCCheadquartersinWashington,D.C.TheIVPconductsanaverageof400-500suchbriefingsperyear.SinceSeptember2015,theFCChosted382visitorsfrom67countries,providingtechnicalandpolicyinformationgenerallyontopicsincludingnationalbroadbandplans,universalservice,spectrummanagement,andemergencycommunications.TheFCCregularlyholdsbilateralexchangesandprovidespresentationsatthenational,regional,andgloballeveltopromoteregulatorybestpracticesthatwouldhelpadvancebroadbandconnectivityaroundtheworld.ArgentinaInJune2016,theFCCconductedaworkshopinArgentinaonU.S.generalregulatorypracticesthatpromotecompetitionandICTgrowth.Theworkshopalsocoveredbestpracticesforspectrummanagementandmediaregulation.Thetrainingwasattendedbynearly50Argentinepolicymakersandofficials,includingsomefromtheMinistryofCommunicationsandthenewtelecomregulatoryagency,ENACOM.ASEANInOctober2016,theFCC–incoordinationwithUSAIDandtheDepartmentofState–developedandfacilitatedathree-daymulti-stakeholderspectrummanagementtrainingworkshopinBangkokorganizedundertheumbrellaofU.S.-ASEANConnect.Thirty-fiverepresentativesfromeightASEANmemberstatesparticipatedintheworkshop.FCCsubject-matterexpertsledinteractivesessionsontopicsincludingfrequencyallocationandlicensing,spectrumauctions,spectrumsharing,andfrequencyplanningforfuturemobiletechnologies.Theworkshopalsofeaturedaprivate-sectorpanelwithrepresentativesfromAdaptrum,Cisco,Facebook,andNetHope.

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DepartmentofStateIndiaInAugust2016,workingwiththeBusinessCouncilforInternationalUnderstanding,theDepartmentofStateparticipatedinaninteragencygroupofexperts,includingthosefromNationalTelecommunicationsandInformationAdministrationandtheFCC,whosharedbestpracticesandlessonslearnedonbroadbandinfrastructuredeploymentanddigitalinclusioninaseriesofdigitalinfrastructurebestpracticesworkshops.TheworkshopswerepartoftheDepartment’sworkinDigitalInfrastructure,InnovationandEntrepreneurshipWorkingGroupoftheU.S.-IndiaCEOForum,whichisincludedintheU.S.-IndiaStrategic&CommercialDialogue(S&CD).ThebestpracticesworkshoptookplaceinthreecitiesacrossIndia:NewDelhi,VisakhapatnamandJaipur.Nearly150representativesfromgovernment,industry,andacademiaparticipatedintheworkshops,facilitatingexchangeregardingawiderangeofpolicybestpracticesfordeployingsustainablebroadbandnetworkstosupportdigitalinfrastructureandimprovingdigitalinclusionefforts.OnOctober25-26,2016,theDepartmentofStatehostedthe“GlobalConnectInitiative:TechnologyLeadershipProgramNetworkSecurityWorkshop”attheAmericanClubinNewDelhi.TheeventbroughttogetherrepresentativesfromU.S.governmentagencies,U.S.telecommunicationscompanies,andtheIndianDepartmentofTelecommunicationforsubstantivediscussiononfederalcommunicationsregulationandnetworksecuritybestpractices.

SocializingDFStothecooperativemembers(USAID)

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TechnologyLeadershipProgramTheTechnologyLeadershipProgram(TLP)providestechnicalassistanceandbuildsinstitutionalcapacitytoreformthetelecommunicationspoliciesandpracticesinUSAID-assisteddevelopingcountries.TLP'sprimarygoalistohelpdeveloping-countrygovernmentsestablishfair,transparent,andmarket-orientedtelecommunicationspoliciesandpractices.Theprogram'ssecondarygoalistohelpboththepublicandprivatesectorsindevelopingcountriesusetelecommunicationsmoreeffectivelytospureconomicgrowth,strengthendemocraticinstitutions,andimprovestandardsofliving.TLPprovidedfundingtosupportseveralofthecapacity-buildingworkshopsdescribedabove.U.S.TelecommunicationsTrainingInstituteTheUnitedStatesTelecommunicationsTrainingInstitute(USTTI),agovernment-industrypartnership,providesin-depthtechnicalandregulatorytrainingtoemergingandestablishedpolicymakersfromdevelopingcountriesaroundtheworld.ItisinternationallyrecognizedasacenterofexcellencefortrainingICTprofessionals,regulatorsandentrepreneursthroughoutthedevelopingworld.TheDepartmentofStatehasprovidedfundingtoUSTTItosupportaUSTTIGrantProgramthatwillprovidetechnicalassistanceandbuildinstitutionalcapacityindevelopingcountriestoreformtheirICTpoliciesandpracticesandtrainpolicyofficialsandleaders.Fundswillsupporttravelandassociatedcostsfordevelopingcountryparticipants.For34years,theU.S.governmentandindustryhaveprovidedongoingtuition-freetelecommunicationscoursesandseminarsundertheauspicesoftheUSTTI.In2016,USTTIgraduated224officialsfrom64developingcountriesfromtrainingcoursesintopicssuchasspectrummanagement,Internettechnologyandpolicy,telecomregulation,andcybersecurity.

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DEVELOPINGSTAKEHOLDERPARTNERSHIPSTheGlobalConnectInitiativehasbeenamulti-stakeholderinitiativesinceitsfoundingandisbasedontheideathateverytypeofstakeholderhasaroletoplayinbringingthenext1.5billionpeopleonlineby2020.ManyoftheaccomplishmentsoftheInitiativespringdirectlyfrompartnershipswithprivatesectorcompanies,internationalorganizations,andcivilsociety.FurtherdevelopingsuchpartnershipswillcontinuetobeacriticalpartoftheSteeringGroup’sstrategy.InstituteofElectricandElectricalEngineersStakeholderConferencesTheDepartmentofStatesupportedtheInstituteofElectricandElectricalEngineers(IEEE)initsworktoorganizeandhostthreeGlobalConnectInitiativestakeholderconferencesin2016:April13inWashington,D.C.;September15inDelhi,India;andOctober5-6inWashington,D.C.IncollaborationwiththeInternetSociety,PeopleCenteredInternetandWorldBankGroup,IEEEconvenedleadersfromgovernments,MDBs,industry,thetechnicalcommunity,non-governmentalorganizations,andcivil-societyorganizations.Theconferencesexploredtechnical,financial,andpolicyoptionsforaddressinginfrastructurechallengesandextendingaffordableInternetaccessinunderdevelopedandunderservedcommunitiesandregionsworldwide.Ablendofdynamic,interactiveworkshopsandpanels,lightningtalksonthestatusofdigitalinclusionplans,andregionalandthematicroundtablesinvolvingdozensofspeakersfromdifferentdisciplinesandmarketsprovidedanoverviewofthegloballyjoinedefforttoconnectthenextbillionsofpeople.Participantsorganizedinto“thematicroundtables”inordertoprioritizenextstepsandcommittoactionitemstowardmakingprogressinextendingaffordableInternetaccess.

PaneldiscussionatInternetInclusion:GlobalStakeholdersAdvancingSolutionsheldinWashington,D.C.(IEEE)

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Inter-AmericanDevelopmentBankandWorldEconomicForumProject

TheUnitedStatesandArgentinaareworkingwiththeInter-AmericanDevelopmentBank(IDB)andtheWorldEconomicForum(WEF)ontheirrespectiveprogramsaimedatexpandingconnectivityinArgentina.TheinitialjointmeetingoftheIDBandtheWEFwasheldonNovember10,2016inBuenosAireswithparticipationbytheDepartmentofState.AtthatmeetingtheWEFintroduceditsInternetforAllprojecttostakeholdersinArgentina,theobjectiveofwhichistofacilitatepartnerships,includingpublic/private,multilateral/bilateral,andnon-profit,inordertoclosethedigitaldivide.ArgentinawasselectedbytheWEFasthelocationforitssecondInternetforAllproject.Atthemeeting,theIDBdiscusseditstechnicalcooperationprogramwithArgentinaaspartofagreaterregionalstrategyinLatinAmericatodevelopthecreativeeconomybymeansoffourkeylevers:(1)improvingthefundamentalsoftheICTIndustry;(2)expandinginvestmentinICTconvergence;(3)reinforcingglobalcooperationinparticularbetweengovernments,privatesector,civilsociety,andacademia;and(4)nurturingthefollowingfourmajorstrategicareas–infrastructure,affordability,skillsandawareness,andcontent.Whilepartofaregionalstrategy,countryspecificworkforArgentinawillbedevelopedbytheIDBinconjunctionwithallstakeholders.TheRepublicofKorea’sMinistryofScience,ICT,andFuturePlanningisamajordonortothisprogram.AllianceforAffordableInternet(A4AI)USAIDisthelargestfunder,andafoundingmember,oftheAllianceforAffordableInternet(A4AI),aconsortiumofpublic,private,andcivilsocietyorganizationsfocusedonensuringaffordableaccesstotheInternetforall.In2015,A4AIissuedanexpandedinternationalaffordabilityreportfocusedonthestateofInternetaffordabilityin51countries,withspecialemphasesonpoverty,incomeinequality,andgenderinequality.Inadditiontoitsannualaffordabilityreport,A4AIbriefsgovernmentsaroundtheworldonInternetaccessibilitypolicyandassemblesmulti-stakeholdercoalitionsfocusedonbringingdownthecostofInternetaccessinsixtargetcountries:theDominicanRepublic,Ghana,Liberia,Mozambique,Myanmar,andNigeria.Thesecoalitionsarecomposedofleadingrepresentativesfromthepublicsector,privatesector,civilsociety,andacademiaandseektoidentifythemajorobstaclespreventingaffordableInternetaccessinfocuscountriesandworkjointlytotacklethoseissues.TosupportandadvancetheGlobalConnectInitiative,A4AIannouncedthecreationofaworkinggrouponICTinvestmentbymultilateraldevelopmentbankswithkeystakeholdersandexperts.Theworkinggroupwillprimarilyfocusontheworkdonebythemultilateraldevelopmentbanks,bothintermsoftheirdirectresourcecommitmentaswellasfacilitationofpolicyreformsandtechnicalassistancetounlockgreaterprivateinvestment.

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ClosingtheDigitalDivideintheUnitedStatesIntheUnitedStates,promotingbroadbandisatopnationalpriority,withspecialemphasisonclosingtheremainingdigitaldivide.Whileover95percentofAmericanhouseholdswithincomesof$150,000ormorehaveaccess,only48percentofthosemakinglessthan$25,000haveserviceathome.OnlyoneintenAmericanslacksaccessto25Mbps/3Mbpsbroadband,butmorethan39percentofruralAmericansand41percentofAmericanslivingonTriballandslacksuchaccess.Toclosethisdivide,theFCC,theDepartmentofCommerce’sNationalTelecommunicationsandInformationAdministration(NTIA),andtheDepartmentofAgricultureandotherfederalagencieshaveimplementedprogramsaimedatmakingbroadbandorhigh-speedaccesstotheInternetavailabletoallAmericans:• InMarch2016,theFCCreformeditsLifelineprogramforlow-incomeAmericans,phasinginminimumstandardsformobilebroadbandof2GBpermonthby2018.• TheFCC’sE-rateprogramhasprovidedfundingforbroadbandandWi-Fito245tribalschoolsservingover60,000studentsand31triballibrariesinthelastfundingyearalone.• InAugust2016,theFCCadoptednewrulestorequirethat88percentofwirelessphonesbehearingaidcompatiblewithinfiveyears.

• NTIA’sBroadbandTechnologyOpportunitiesProgram(BTOP)andBroadbandUSAprogram,launchedin2015,havehelpedbridgethetechnologicaldivide.UndertheBTOPgrantprogram,NTIAinvested$4billionin230projectsnationwidethatbuiltcriticalbroadbandnetworkinfrastructure,openedorupgradedpubliccomputercenters,andestablishedbroadbandadoptionanddigitalinclusionprograms.ThroughitsBroadbandUSAprogram,NTIAishelpingtoexpandbroadbandinfrastructureandimprovedigitalliteracyacrossAmerica.BroadbandUSAhascreatedavarietyofsolution-neutralbroadbandguidesandtools,provideddirect(one-to-one)technicalassistancetoover120communitiesinmorethan34states,andhostedsevenregionaleventsfocusingonconnectingmorethan600communityleaderswithpeers,industryexpertsandtimelyguidancetoadvancetheirbroadbandefforts.

• TheDepartmentofAgricultureplanstoawardupto$11.7millioningrantsforunderservedruralcommunitiesin2016throughitsCommunityConnectprogram,partofabroadereffortthathashelpedbringhigh-speedInternetaccesstonearlysixmillionruralresidentssince2009.

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FUTURESTRATEGIESANDACTIONAsdirectedbytheExecutiveOrder,U.S.agencieshaveexaminedfuturestrategiesandplansforactioninsupportofexpandingInternetconnectivitygloballyinlinewiththegoalsoftheGlobalConnectInitiative.Eachagencyhasconsideredhowitcanbetterleverageitsownresourcestoexpandconnectivity,andtheSteeringGroupwillcontinuetoworktoimprovecoordinationoftheseefforts.Thisreportwillprovidearesourcetoidentifyareasofpotentialcooperationbetweenagencieswithcomplementaryprogramsaddressingthesamemarkets.TheSteeringGroupwillcontinuetoworkwithpartnercountriesincludingArgentina,Liberia,andIndiainsupportoftheirrespectivegoalstoexpandconnectivity.SteeringGroupagencieswillcontinuetoengagemultilateralandregionalorganizationssuchastheITU,UNBroadbandCommission,OECD,G-7,G-20,EU,andASEAN,amongothers.TheSteeringGroupwilltakeadvantageofimportanteventsin2016tofurtherbuildglobalmomentum,includingtheGlobalConnectHighLevelEventandWorldBank-supportedconferencesorganizedbytheIEEE.TheSteeringGroupwillcontinuetoworkwithstakeholderssuchasIEEE,theInter-AmericanDevelopmentBank,theWorldEconomicForum,andotherstofurthercatalyzeactionbytheprivatesector,civilsociety,andotherinternationalinstitutions.Asnewdatabecomesavailable,theSteeringGroupwillregularlyassesstheeffectivenessofitsactionsandupdateitsinformation.TheSteeringGroupwillcontinuetoidentifygapsandimprovecoordinationofU.S.governmentconnectivityeffortstoclosethedigitaldivide.FuturestrategiesidentifiedbySteeringGroupmemberagenciesincludethefollowing:DepartmentofStateBycontinuingandextendingengagementwithmultilateralandregionalorganizations,theDepartmentofStatewillfurtherexpandanddeepensupportfortheGlobalConnectInitiative.Inaddition,itwillseektoidentifynewpartnercountrieswiththegoalofdevelopingfocusedinteragencyactionplansforcoordinatedandcomprehensivebilateralworktosupportthepartnercountry’sconnectivitygoals.TheDepartmentofStatewillcontinuetoconvenetheGlobalConnectInternationalConnectivitySteeringGroupand,incollaborationwithotherfederalagencies,willpursuefurtheranalyticalworktobetterunderstandandquantifytheimpactofconnectivityoneconomicgrowthanddevelopment.USAIDBuildingonrecentsuccessfulprojects,USAIDiscommittedtomorebroadlyanddeeplyintegratingconnectivityintothewaytheagencydoesdevelopmentprogramming–toreachmorepeoplemoreefficientlyandeffectivelywhilealsocreatingafoundationformacroeconomicgrowth.Inaddition,theDigitalInclusionteamwillbeworkingwithanumberofUSAIDMissionstoincorporateconnectivityintotheirCountryDevelopmentCooperationStrategies,whichsetMissiondevelopmentstrategiesandgoalsforthenextfiveyears.Thefirststepsofthisdeepercommitmentcan,forinstance,beseeninUSAID’spreparationsoverthepastyearinLiberiaandUganda.InresponsetotheEbolacrisisinLiberia,USAID

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willlaunchfiveconnectivity-relatedprojectsfocusedonstrengtheningthecountry’shealthsectoroverthenextyear.InAugust2016,USAID’sDigitalInclusionteamsupportedassessmentsofcommunicationsinfrastructureforFeedtheFutureinruralUganda,andiscurrentlyworkingwiththeUSAIDMissioninUgandatooperationalizeconnectivityinterventionsidentifiedaspartoftheassessment.Inaddition,theDigitalInclusionTeamwillbeworkingwithanumberofMissionstoincorporateconnectivityintotheirCountryDevelopmentCooperationStrategies,whichsetseachMission’sdevelopmentstrategyandgoalsforthenextfiveyears.Finally,undertheInternetforAllProject,theDigitalInclusionteam,incollaborationwiththeKenyaandEastAfricaUSAIDMission’sRegionalEconomicIntegrationOffice,hasbeenworkingwiththeNorthernCorridorIntegrationProjectandWorldEconomicForumtodevelopsupportivepolicyforlastmileconnectivity,spectrummanagement,andreducedcostbroadbandbackhaulinthefourNorthernCorridorCountriesofKenya,Uganda,Rwanda,andSouthSudan.ThesekindsofeffortswillbecomemorewidespreadoverthecomingyearsasUSAIDcontinuestopivottowardsintegratingconnectivityintoUSAIDprogramsasafoundationformeetingdevelopmentobjectives.InresponsetotheEbolacrisisinLiberia,USAIDwilllaunchfiveconnectivity-relatedprojectsfocusedonstrengtheningthecountry’shealthsectoroverthenextyear.InAugustUSAID’sDigitalInclusionteamsupportedassessmentsofcommunicationsinfrastructureforFeedtheFutureinruralUganda,andiscurrentlyworkingwiththeUSAIDMissioninUgandatooperationalizeconnectivityinterventionsidentifiedaspartoftheassessment.Inaddition,theDigitalInclusionTeamwillbeworkingwithanumberofMissionstoincorporateconnectivityintotheirCountryDevelopmentCooperationStrategies,whichsetstheMission’sdevelopmentstrategyandgoalsforthenextfiveyears.ThesekindsofeffortswillbecomemorewidespreadoverthecomingyearsasUSAIDcontinuestopivottowardsintegratingconnectivityintoUSAIDpriorityprogramsasafoundationformeetingdevelopmentobjectives.DepartmentofCommerceNTIAandtheDepartmentofCommerce,armedwithlessonslearnedandbestpracticesfromBTOPandBroadbandUSA,lookforwardtosharinglessonslearnedandbestpracticesinsupportoftheGlobalConnectInitiative’sgoalofbringinganadditional1.5billionpeopleonlineby2020.BroadbandUSA’stechnicalassistanceteamprovidedfreehands-on,one-to-onesupporttolocalgovernmentofficialsandotherkeystakeholdersonarangeofbroadbandprojectsnationwide.Infurtheranceofthatgoal,NTIAandCommercewelcometheopportunitytoincludetheseexperiencesintheworkoftheDepartment’sdigitaltradeofficers.DepartmentoftheTreasuryTheDepartmentoftheTreasurywillcontinuetosupporttheGlobalConnectInitiativebyholdingMDBOutreachSub-SteeringGroupmeetingstoworkwiththeMDBstoidentifywhetherlackofICTconnectivityisaconstrainttoeconomicgrowth.TreasuryalsowillsupporteffortstoraisetheprofileoftheGlobalConnectInitiativeatthe2017AnnualSpringMeetingsoftheWorldBankandInternationalMonetaryFund.

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FCCTheFCCwillcontinuetoengagewithitscounterpartsworldwideinordertopromotetheeffectivetelecommunicationsregulationsnecessaryforensuringglobalconnectivity.Todothis,theFCCwillfocusonstaff-levelcapacitybuildingassistanceforitsforeigncounterpartsonregulatoryandpolicytopicsidentifiedaspriorities,includingbroadbanddeploymentandspectrummanagement.MCCMCChasinitiatedanagency-levelstrategicreviewofitsDigitalandICTportfolio.HistoricallyMCC’sdigitalandICTportfoliohasconsistedofinputsthatseektooptimizetheoutcomesorimpactofprojectsinsectorssuchaseducation,healthortradefacilitation.Thestrategicreviewincludesthreecomponents:(1)areviewofMCCbusinessprocessestoevaluateifchangesarecalledforinhowdigitalandICTprojectsareidentified,developed,implemented,andevaluated;(2)thedevelopmentofasystemsdynamicsframeworktooltohelpassess,manage,andevaluateICTprojects;and,(3)technicalsupporttofieldtestthesetools.MCCiscommittedtoreviewingitspipelineforopportunitiestostrategicallyinvestinthedigitalandICTspace.NewopportunitiesmayeitheroccurbecausedigitalandICTissuesareidentifiedasstandalonebindingconstraintstoeconomicgrowthinapartnercountryorbecausetheyareseenasakeyelementofarootcausetoabindingconstraintinanothersector.BasedonMCC’spriorexperiences,andtherecordofotherdonors,weanticipatethatthelatterwillrepresentavastmajorityoffutureopportunitiesforMCCengagementinthisspace.

(MillenniumChallengeCorporation–Namibia–March12,2014–PhotobyJakeLyell)USTDAIn2017,USTDAwillcontinuetoleverageU.S.expertiseandtechnologytosupportthedevelopmentofsustainabletelecommunicationsinfrastructureinemergingeconomies.USTDAintendstocontinueworkingwithitspartnersinCapeTown,SouthAfrica,toapplysmartsolutionsfortheexpansionofdigitalinfrastructure,buildingonpreviousUSTDAfundingprovidedtothecitytodevelopadigital

SusannaHooésistheFood&BeverageManageratGrootbergLodge,ahigh-endtouristlodgeinKuneneRegion,Namibia,locatedinandrunbythe≠Khoadi-

//HôasConservancy.UndertheNamibiaCompact’s

TourismProject,MCCbuiltconservancycapacitytoprotectnaturalresources,attractinvestmentand

achievefinancialsustainabilitysothat

householdsincommunalconservancyareas(or

conservancies)canreceiveagreatershareof

revenues.

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inclusionstrategyforitstownships.Thissupporthasextendeditsfiberopticbackbonetothetownshipsandhasconnectedover900,000userstowirelessInternet,inadditiontoprovidingemployment,trainingandgenerallyspurringeconomicgrowthacrosstheareaandresultedintheexportofU.S.equipmentaspartofthebuild-out.InOctober2016,USTDAresumeditsprograminArgentinaforthetimesince2005.USTDAwillpursueprojectswiththepublicandprivatesectorstoadvanceITinfrastructureacrossthecountry.USTDAforeseesconsiderableopportunitiesinthesectorinArgentina,andthereisrobustinterestfromU.S.industryinbeingpartofthesesolutions.InBrazil,USTDAwillseektofundprojectsthatfurthertheU.S.-BrazilInformationandCommunicationsTechnologiesPartnership.InIndia,USTDAwillcontinuetofundactivitiesinsupportoftheSmartSolutionsforSmartCitiesInitiativeinthecitiesofVisakhapatnam,Allahabad,andAjmer.Inaddition,asrecommendedattheU.S.-IndiaCEOForuminAugust2016,USTDAisconsideringprogrammingtobuildtechnicalcapacityfordigitalinfrastructureexpansionacrossIndiaatthenationalandstatelevels.SmallBusinessAdministrationTheU.S.SmallBusinessAdministration(SBA)willcontinuetoleverageitsexpertiseinentrepreneurshipandsmallbusinessdevelopmenttoconveytheimportanceofconnectivitywithpartnergovernments.SBA,togetherwithSouthAfrica,willhostthe3rdGlobalSMEMinisterialinMarch2017.Thegatheringwillbringtogetherministersinchargeofsmallbusinesstodiscusspoliciesandprogramsthatspurentrepreneurialgrowth–includingconnectivity,tradefacilitation,andgenderinclusion.TheMinisterialalsowillofferanopportunitytoengagewithaglobalstakeholderbase,takingplaceonthesidelinesoftheGlobalEntrepreneurshipCongress(GEC),whichbringstogetherthousandsofentrepreneurs,investors,researchers,andotherentrepreneurshipchampionsfrommorethan160countries.Thethemeofthe2017GECis“DigitalDisruption”anditsimpactonentrepreneurshipand,fortheministerialdiscussion,itsimpactongovernmentpolicies,programs,andservices.IntheWesternHemisphere,SBAwillcontinuetooffersupportfortheexpansionoftheSmallBusinessNetworkoftheAmericasbyworkingwithgovernmentstoexchangebestpractices.InthecaseofArgentina,SBA’sOfficeofInternationalTradeintendstocontinuetocollaboratewithitspartnersintheMinistryofProductionindevelopingbilateralunderstandingsoftheimportanceoftransparencyandothergoodregulatorypracticesfortrade,includinge-rulemaking,throughtheU.S.-ArgentinaCommercialDialogueandtheplannedArgentina-U.S.RegulatoryCoherenceforSmallBusinessRoundtableinCórdoba,Argentina,inMarch2017.

AsaresultoftheDigitalInclusionwirelessprojectsupportedbyUSTDA,theCityofCapeTownisinstalling130Wi-Fihotspotsinandaroundpublicbuildings,likethislibrary,wherecommunitymemberscongregateforservices(CapeTown,SouthAfrica)

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CONCLUSIONTheSteeringGroup’sconsiderableeffortsarehavinganimpact,althoughsignificantworkremains.Inthecomingyear,theSteeringGroupwillbuildonitsmomentumfromactionsin2016tostrengthenInternetconnectivity,improveregulatoryframeworks,andexpanddigitalliteracyprogramstoreducethedigitaldivide.Thegoalofbringingthenext1.5billionpeopleonlineby2020isanimportantone.Achievingitwillhelpfosternewproducts,businessmodels,andeconomicgrowth.Itwillhelpimproveoutcomesindeliveringeducationandhealthcareservices.Itwillhelpdeployapplicationsthatimproveagriculturalproductivityandenergyefficiency.Anditwillhelpadvancehumandevelopmentandcreatenewopportunities,somewhichwehavenotyetimagined.TheSteeringGroupwillcontinuetodoitsparttoachievethisgoal.GlobalConnectInternationalConnectivitySteeringGroupDepartmentofStateDepartmentoftheTreasuryDepartmentofDefenseDepartmentofCommerceDepartmentofTransportationOfficeoftheUnitedStatesTradeRepresentativeU.S.SmallBusinessAdministrationU.S.TradeandDevelopmentAgencyMillenniumChallengeCorporationU.S.OverseasPrivateInvestmentCorporationExport-ImportBankoftheUnitedStatesU.S.AgencyforInternationalDevelopmentU.S.FederalCommunicationsCommissionNationalEconomicCouncilNationalSecurityStaffOfficeofScienceandTechnologyPolicy