2018年-WEF世界经济论坛_Financing_a_Forward-Looking_Internet_for_All_34页_534kb

Summary of Financing a Forward-Looking Internet for All

Core Content

This white paper, published by the World Economic Forum in April 2018, explores the challenges and opportunities in financing a forward-looking internet for all. It argues that traditional approaches to internet access are no longer sufficient to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving digital economy and that a more comprehensive and inclusive financing model is required.

Main Viewpoints

• Digital connectivity is a global imperative
  Widespread internet access is essential for participation in the digital economy and society. However, 3.8 billion people remain unconnected, highlighting the urgency of addressing the digital divide.

• The digital divide is not just about access
  The paper emphasizes that the divide is also about the maturity level of internet access, which refers to the depth and breadth of internet usage and the quality of service required to support it.

• A forward-looking internet for all is necessary
  The goal is not just to provide basic connectivity but to build a robust digital ecosystem that supports advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), self-driving cars, and cloud computing. This is crucial for enabling equitable participation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

• Traditional financing models are inadequate
  Most ICT infrastructure funding comes from private-sector entities, which are often limited in their ability to invest in long-term, high-capacity infrastructure due to the perceived lack of immediate returns. A shift in perspective and the development of innovative financing mechanisms are necessary.

• Public and private sectors must collaborate
  The paper advocates for a multistakeholder approach, with governments, private companies, and international organizations working together to finance and expand digital infrastructure.

Key Information

Internet Maturity Levels

The paper introduces a framework of five internet maturity levels, each characterized by the type of internet use, required skills, and minimum service quality:

Economic Impact of Broadband Penetration

• Each 10% increase in internet penetration correlates with a 2.8 percentage-point increase in GDP growth.
• Faster download speeds also contribute to economic growth, with a 0.3 percentage-point increase in per-capita GDP growth for every doubling of speeds.

Infrastructure Challenges and Costs

• Advanced connectivity requires high-capacity infrastructure such as fibre-optic networks and 5G capabilities.
• The ICT infrastructure gap is expected to reach $1 trillion by 2040, with the largest divides in Africa and Asia.
• Costs vary widely depending on factors like urban density, regulation, and topology. For example, in South Korea, the cost of FTTH is $110–$170 per home, while the global average exceeds $1,000 per home.

Financing Landscape

• Private-sector financing dominates, but it is insufficient for long-term, high-quality infrastructure.
• Public-sector and multilateral funding play a critical but limited role.
• The paper proposes alternative financing models such as:
  • ICT-specific infrastructure funds
  • Securitization mechanisms
  • Co-investment vehicles
  • Risk guarantees
  • Project preparation facilities
  • Infrastructure marketplaces

Recommendations

• For the public sector:

  • Implement "dig once" policies to reduce costs.
  • Adjust tax incentives and provide anchor tenancies.
  • Release new spectrum in a timely and affordable manner.
  • Encourage small cell deployment and internet exchange points.

• For the private sector and multilateral actors:

  • Develop blended financing models.
  • Explore project bundling and securitization.
  • Create multistakeholder funds and co-investment vehicles.
  • Improve investment environments through risk guarantees and marketplace platforms.

Conclusion

The paper concludes that inclusive growth and equitable participation in the digital economy require a forward-looking approach to internet access. It calls for a renewed collaboration among all stakeholders to finance and implement high-quality broadband infrastructure, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of geography or economic status, can benefit from the full potential of the internet.

Supporting Materials

• Case studies are provided to illustrate innovative financing models, such as:

  • Vive Digital (Colombia)
  • Red Compartida (Mexico)
  • Digital Malawi

• Appendices include:

  • ICT Financing Partners Platform
  • Calculation Methodology for Figure 4
  • Acknowledgements and Endnotes

This paper is aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal 17, which calls for global partnerships to achieve sustainable development. It aims to contribute to this goal by promoting cooperation and innovation in the financing of digital infrastructure.