People and businesses depend on digital services like never before, so reliable, affordable access to broadband is needed more than ever. Broadband networks keep citizens, businesses and economies moving forward in today’s digital age. But for communities with limited access options or high costs for internet connectivity, broadband can seem out of reach, creating a digital divide. 

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the digital divide, but now opportunities and options exist to reliably and affordably connect formerly unconnected segments of the population. At Nokia, we understand the digital divide and how to bridge it. We can help your business or community access new funding options and build reliable ultra-broadband networks that provide affordable and sustainable broadband connectivity.

The digital divide, sometimes referenced with digital equity or digital inclusion, is defined broadly as the gap between those with skills, resources and access to the internet or reliable information and communication technologies (ICT) and those without. The ITU (the United Nations tech agency) estimates that approximately to 2.6 Billion people lack the opportunity to access the internet and engage in the digital economy.

Closing the digital divide is important and those currently without access span both urban and rural communities. When societies are connected, they thrive. Reliable, affordable broadband means greater and equal access to education, government services and healthcare resources, and the opportunity to build new digital economies. Connected communities can leverage the power of the internet to fuel their unique goals.