José Manuel Do Rosario Toscano

José Manuel Do Rosario Toscano, Director General and CEO, International Telecommunications Satellite Organization and a Commissioner of the Broadband Commission for Digital Development, on the importance of broadband.



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The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were agreed upon in 2000 by all of the United Nations member states, and the year 2015 was set as the target date for their attainment. However, notwithstanding the rapid approach of that target, amid a climate of global economic downturn, to date only limited progress has been achieved, particularly in the poorest countries. Indeed, the current global economic crisis which has equally affected developed and developing nations alike, has seriously thwarted efforts to meet the global challenge presented by the MDGs.
 
Today more than ever, broadband technologies are the engine of social and economic development, and the key to achieving the MDGs. Equitable and affordable access to broadband networks for all citizens represents an essential building block for the achievement of these goals.

Broadband satellite technologies in particular afford countries, especially those facing the greatest challenges, with the ability to instantly shrink the effects of the digital (broadband) divide by providing needed telecommunications infrastructure.  These technologies have proven time and time again that they are capable of overcoming the last-mile connectivity issues facing most traditional terrestrial technologies. I sincerely believe that the growth and continued technological advances of broadband satellite services will inevitably generate greater economic growth in developing countries by being an enabler for e-applications such as e-health, distance learning, e-government, tele-working, and residential and community Internet access.

As a rapidly implementable tool for achieving ICT policies and objectives of governments, particularly in those areas where the market access gap still exist, these technologies represent the best means available to credibly restore the possibility of achieving the MDGs by the agreed date.

In accepting to serve as one of the Founding Commissioners of the Broadband Commission for Digital Development, I commit to do everything in my power to support the Commission's efforts to address the very important issue of connectivity -- a message which is also at the heart of my efforts as Director General of ITSO, and that is to assure the provision of affordable telecommunications services to all countries of the world.  It is my belief that the Broadband Commission for Digital Development represents the best possible chance for remedying the current situation and re-establishing a reasonable basis for achievement of the MDGs as they relate to information and communications technologies, and I take it upon myself to advocate the need for affordable telecommunications services and in particular affordable satellite communications services within the Commission.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• broadband
• commission
• united
• nations
• itu
• unesco
• digital
• development
• mdg
• millennium
• goals
• ict
• internet