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Closing Date:6 July (24:00 + GMT2).

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2026 AWARDS DETAILS

Broadband Excellence Awards

Why Participate？

Entering the WBBA Awards to position your organisation among the global leaders shaping next-generation digital infrastructure and AI-enabled transformation and take advantage to:

  • Gain international recognition from a neutral, industry-led body.
  • Showcase leadership in AI-enabled digital transformation.
  • Elevate your profile with global stakeholders and partners.
  • Demonstrate measurable impact and innovation at scale.

The Broadband Excellence Awards, presented by the World Broadband Association, honour outstanding achievement and innovation across the global broadband ecosystem. These prestigious awards recognize organizations, projects, and technologies that are shaping the future of connectivity, driving digital transformation, and empowering communities through broadband and emerging technologies like AI and cloud

From cutting-edge infrastructure and smart city solutions to breakthroughs in digital inclusion and sustainable connected environments, the Broadband Excellence Awards spotlight the leaders and pioneers who are building the foundation of tomorrow’s gigabit societies.

WBBA welcomes operators, vendors, policymakers, and ecosystem partners to participate in this global recognition program—celebrating the transformative power of broadband to fuel economic development, sustainability, and digital equity worldwide.

What’s New in 2026 ？

  • Stronger recognition of demand and vertical‑industry transformation through the Connected Digital Life Excellence Award.
  • Introduction of the new Excellence in Emerging Technology & Solutions Award, recognising future-ready innovation transitioning from pilot to scale.
  • Introduction of the new Smart Communities & Digital Government Excellence Award, recognising municipal-level and regional cities achieving impactful digital transformation with broadband and AI-enabled services via digitalisation initiatives.

2026 Awards Details

  • Network Infrastructure Innovation Excellence
  • AI in Network Excellence
  • Broadband Innovation Excellence for Future Applications
  • Smart Gigacity Excellence
  • Broadband for Digital Inclusion Excellence
  • Intelligent Home Innovation Excellence

About the Awards

The WBBA Broadband Excellence Awards 2026 recognise organisations and leaders delivering measurable, real‑world impact through broadband connectivity, cloud platforms, and artificial intelligence. Presented by the World Broadband Association (WBBA), the Awards honour excellence across the broadband value chain from operational network infrastructure deployed today, to enterprise and public‑sector transformation, and future‑ready technologies shaping the next generation of digital ecosystems.

Who Should Apply

We welcome submissions from across the ecosystem, including:

  • Telecom operators and network providers
  • Governments and city authorities
  • Enterprises, Education institutions and vertical industries
  • Technology providers, platforms & system integration solutions providers, CDN operators, ISVs, and start-ups
  • Public-private partnerships and multi-stakeholder initiatives

Award Brief

The Network Infrastructure Innovation Excellence Award recognizes outstanding advancements in broadband infrastructure that demonstrate creativity, intelligence, and strategic impact. This award celebrates how operators and technology providers are redefining connectivity through innovative network architectures, deployment models, and service delivery strategies that enable smarter, more inclusive, and resilient digital societies.

Nominees should showcase leadership in applying forward-thinking approaches to overcome infrastructure challenges—whether through intelligent design, operational efficiency, new service models, or inventive partnerships. The focus is on clever innovation and tangible outcomes, not necessarily the largest deployments.

Winner(s):

  • China Telecom / E-Surfing IoT Tech
    Network Infrastructure Innovation Excellence
  • Turkcell
    Next-Generation Super C+L Backbone: Unleashing 400G - 1.6TB Capacity with ASON Resilience
  • Altice Labs
    AnD (Autonomous Network Designer) AI Agent
  • China Unicom
    China Unicom Broadband Network Core (BNC)
  • e&
    UAE e& 50G PON Commercial Deployment
  • E-Surfing IoT Tech
    Network Infrastructure Innovation Excellence
  • Tech Mahindra
    Fast-Tracking Sustainable & Secure Broadband Network Connectivity & GTM: with our Integrated FTTx Services and Automation Framework
  • Turkcell
    Next-Generation Super C+L Backbone: Unleashing 400G - 1.6TB Capacity with ASON Resilience
  • Altice Labs
    AnD (Autonomous Network Designer) AI Agent
  • China Unicom
    China Unicom Broadband Network Core (BNC)
  • e&
    UAE e& 50G PON Commercial Deployment
  • E-Surfing IoT Tech
    Network Infrastructure Innovation Excellence
  • Tech Mahindra
    Fast-Tracking Sustainable & Secure Broadband Network Connectivity & GTM: with our Integrated FTTx Services and Automation Framework
  • Turkcell
    Next-Generation Super C+L Backbone: Unleashing 400G – 1.6TB Capacity with ASON Resilience
Target Applicants:
  • Operators
  • Vendors
Submission Proof Points
Applicants should provide evidence covering the following areas:
  • Innovative Design or Strategy: A unique network architecture, deployment model, or operational approach that departs from conventional practices.
  • Tangible Performance Outcomes: Clear improvements in network reliability, responsiveness, user experience, or service consistency.
  • Operational Ingenuity: Smart approaches to managing resources, streamlining rollout, or overcoming technical and logistical constraints.
  • Business & Societal Impact: How the infrastructure has enabled new services, improved digital access, or supported economic or community development.
  • Validation & Endorsement: Feedback from users, partners, or industry peers that highlights the success or uniqueness of the initiative.
  • Sustainability & Efficiency: Demonstrated alignment with green network principles, resource optimization, or environmental targets.
Submission Format:
  • Entries will only be accepted when submitted in the English language only.
  • Entries exceeding the 500-word limit will not be considered for review by the judges.
  • Supporting documents may be included with entry. If applicable, please submit supporting documents (up to 5 pages) in .doc, .ppt, or .pdf format. Please name the file using the format:
  • Company Name/Individual Name - Category Name
  • Only entries demonstrating industry application and innovation submitted since October 2023 will be considered.
Criteria included will consider assessment of:
  • Innovation and Creativity
  • Impact on Service and Society
  • Operational Excellence
  • Sustainability and Resource Efficiency
  • Validation and Recognition

A Call to Industry, Government and the Ecosystem

The Awards are global in scope and open to WBBA members and non‑members, reflecting WBBA’s role as a neutral, industry‑led association advancing broadband as a foundation for economic growth, industry solutions, and societal resilience.

In 2026, WBBA invites participation from national, regional, and municipal governments, public‑private partnerships, enterprises, campuses, utilities, vertical‑industry operators, telecom operators, and technology providers.

As broadband, cloud, and AI increasingly underpin industrial competitiveness, digital government, and public‑service delivery, the WBBA Broadband Excellence Awards provide a global platform to showcase proven deployments, replicable transformation models, and future‑ready innovation.

Award Brief

The AI in Network Excellence Award recognizes exceptional initiatives that leverage Artificial Intelligence Applications to transform network capabilities, improve performance, and support next-generation applications. This award celebrates projects by operators or vendor-operator collaborations that use AI to enable advanced use cases such as Zero-Touch Automation (ZR), Cloud-AI infrastructure integration, and low-latency applications like AR/VR, industrial IoT, and autonomous systems.

This award highlights leaders who are pushing the boundaries of broadband networking through intelligent automation, predictive insights, and AI-driven optimization—laying the foundation for more efficient, responsive, and scalable digital ecosystems.

Winner:

  • T-Mobile
    T-Mobile USA Submission - AI in Network Excellence
  • China Telecom
    Application of ISAC and AI Technology in the Field of Smart Shipping on the Huangpu River
  • National University of Singapore
    AI-enabled network for Valour House
  • stc
    AI-driven optimization systems
  • T-Mobile
    T-Mobile USA Submission - AI in Network Excellence
  • Turkcell
    Turkcell & Huawei FTTH Network Automation Project
  • Operators
  • Operators and vendors collaboration
Submission Proof Points

Applicants should provide evidence covering the following areas:

  • Project Overview: Description of the AI-enabled network initiative, including objectives, scope, timeline, and stakeholders.
  • AI Technology Used: Explanation of the AI models, platforms, or techniques employed (e.g., machine learning for traffic management, anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, etc.).
  • Use Case Focus: Relevance to ZR (Zero-touch automation), Cloud-AI convergence, or support for low-latency applications (AR/VR, industrial IoT, etc.).
  • Performance Impact: Quantitative results such as improved throughput, reduced latency, fault prediction accuracy, or automation rates.
  • Business or Customer Impact: Demonstrable improvements in user experience, operational efficiency, service uptime, or cost reduction.
  • Scalability: Ability to replicate or scale the solution across multiple geographies or service domains.
  • Innovation & Differentiation: Unique aspects of the project that distinguish it from standard practices.
  • Endorsements or Case Studies: Testimonials from partners, users, or third-party assessments validating the project impact.
Submission Format:
  • Entries will only be accepted when submitted in the English language only.
  • Entries exceeding the 500-word limit will not be considered for review by the judges.
  • Supporting documents may be included with entry. If applicable, please submit supporting documents (up to 5 pages) in .doc, .ppt, or .pdf format. Please name the file using the format:
  • Company Name/Individual Name - Category Name
  • Only entries demonstrating industry application and innovation submitted since October 2023 will be considered.
Criteria included will consider assessment of:
  • AI Innovation and Technical Excellence
  • Use Case Relevance
  • Network and Business Impact
  • Scalability and Replicability
  • Validation & Evidence

Award Categories

This year we are seeking the recipient who demonstrate exceptional excellence in the following nine (9) categories.

  • Network & Infrastructure Innovation Excellence– Recognising large-scale broadband and infrastructure deployments delivering proven performance, resilience, and scalability.
  • Broadband, Cloud & Future Applications Excellence – Celebrating high-impact broadband- and cloud-enabled applications transforming industries and public services.
  • AI-Driven Excellence Award – Honouring the use of AI to optimise, automate, and enhance broadband networks with measurable operational outcomes.
  • Connected Digital Life Excellence – Recognising enterprise and vertical use cases leveraging advanced connectivity to enhance user experience and operations.
  • Smart Gigacity Excellence – Showcasing cities achieving population-scale digital transformation through integrated broadband, cloud, and AI platforms.
  • Smart Communities & Digital Government Excellence (New) – Highlighting governments delivering efficient, citizen-centric services through broadband-enabled digital transformation.
  • Digital Inclusion & Sustainable Connectivity Excellence (New) – Recognising initiatives advancing affordable, inclusive, and sustainable access to digital connectivity.
  • Ecosystem Collaboration Excellence (New) – Celebrating multi-stakeholder partnerships driving impactful broadband and AI-enabled solutions at scale
  • Excellence in Emerging Technology & Solutions (New) – Highlighting innovative technologies transitioning from pilot to scalable, future-ready deployments.

 

Award Brief

The Broadband Innovation Excellence for Future Applications Award honours groundbreaking innovations that push the boundaries of broadband capability to enable emerging, high-demand digital experiences. Open to operators and vendors, this award focuses on transformative broadband solutions that support AI-driven services, Metaverse platforms, cloud gaming, and 3D/XR immersive applications.

This category recognizes organizations that are future-proofing broadband networks to meet the technical demands of next-generation content and user interaction — delivering ultra-low latency, massive bandwidth, and intelligent optimization to unlock new digital possibilities.

Winner:

  • Safaricom
    Safaricom’s Affordable Broadband for All: Pioneering Africa’s Smart Cities Through Digital Equity and Innovation
  • China Telecom
    Wide-area Intelligent Computing Network for Large-Scale Model Training
  • Raisecom
    World’s First High-Quality Business Leased-Line Delivered by Optical Service Extend (OSE)
  • Safaricom
    Safaricom’s Affordable Broadband for All: Pioneering Africa’s Smart Cities Through Digital Equity and Innovation
  • Sunrise
    Sunrise HyperEdge: AI-Optimized Broadband Infrastructure for Immersive Digital Futures in Africa
  • Trailblazer Broadband
    Estes Park’s Fiber-Enabled Smart Grid
  • Operators and vendors collaboration
Submission Proof Points

Applicants should provide evidence covering the following areas:

  • Project Overview: Description of the innovation, including scope, technology used, and objectives.
  • Application Enablement: Explanation of how the solution enables AI, Metaverse, cloud gaming, XR, or other immersive future applications.
  • Technical Innovation: Description of breakthrough technologies or novel architectural approaches (e.g., edge computing, ultra-low latency optimization, traffic shaping, content delivery acceleration).
  • Performance Results: Measurable improvements in latency, throughput, jitter, reliability, or end-user quality of experience (QoE).
  • User or Business Impact: Tangible outcomes for customers or content providers—such as expanded service offerings, monetization, or customer experience enhancement.
  • Scalability & Future-readiness: How the solution is designed for mass adoption and evolving content demands.
  • Partnerships & Collaboration: Joint efforts with platform providers, developers, or cloud ecosystems, if applicable.
  • Testimonials & Validation: Case studies, client endorsements, or third-party recognition.
Submission Format:
  • Entries will only be accepted when submitted in the English language only.
  • Entries exceeding the 500-word limit will not be considered for review by the judges.
  • Supporting documents may be included with entry. If applicable, please submit supporting documents (up to 5 pages) in .doc, .ppt, or .pdf format. Please name the file using the format:
  • Company Name/Individual Name - Category Name
  • Only entries demonstrating industry application and innovation submitted since October 2023 will be considered.
Criteria included will consider assessment of:
  • Innovation and Future Orientation
  • Technical Performance Impact
  • User or Market Impact
  • Scalability and Replicability
  • Validation & Supporting Evidence

How to Stand Out

Successful submissions to the WBBA Broadband Excellence Awards typically demonstrate:

  • Clear & Concise: Clear alignment to the selected award category and intended applicant profile.
  • Evidence-Based:Evidence of realworld deployment and measurable impact and not just concepts or marketing claims.
  • Scalability & Repeatability:Leadership, scale, and replicability beyond a single project or organisation
  • Outcome-driven:A concise, outcome‑focused narrative explaining what was delivered, why it matters, and what changed as a result.

Key Dates

  • Submissions Open:12 May 2026
  • Deadline::6 July (24:00 + GMT2).
  • Shortlist Announcement:14 September 2026
  • Awards Ceremony:14 October 2026

Award Brief

The Smart Gigacity Excellence Award celebrates visionary partnerships between operators and city governments that demonstrate how broadband, and AI can transform urban living through smart public services as well as excellence and innovation in progression towards being a gigacity. This award recognizes projects that have successfully deployed high-speed broadband and intelligent technologies to build more connected, sustainable, and inclusive cities.

Whether through smart mobility, digital healthcare, e-governance, energy management, or real-time city services, this award honours the integration of broadband infrastructure and AI innovation to improve quality of life, urban resilience, and operational efficiency at scale.

Winner(s):

Advanced City:

  • (Argentina) Recreo, Charata, Cafayate and Anatuya
    presented by Telecom Argentina
  • (China) Beijing
    presented by Raisecom
Developing City:
  • (Kenya) Nakuru and Kiambu
    presented by Sunrise
  • (Tunisia) Tunis
    presented by Tunisie Telecom
Judging Panel Special Award:
  • stc

Recognition Awards:

  • (Brazil) Sao Paulo and Rio
    presented by Claro
  • (China) Hainan
    presented by China Unicom
  • (China) Shangrao
    presented China Unicom
  • (China) Wuhan
    presented by China Telecom / E-surfing
  • (Kenya) Nairobi
    presented by Safaricom
  • (UAE) Abu Dhabi
    presented by Optio AI
  • (USA) Estes Park
    presented by Trailblazer Broadband
  • Operators, vendors and cities collaboration
Submission Proof Points

Applicants should provide evidence covering the following areas:

  • Project Overview: Description of the smart city initiative, including objectives, stakeholders, and timeline.
  • Role of Broadband: Explanation of how fibre or high-speed broadband forms the digital foundation for city services.
  • Use of AI/Automation: How AI and data analytics have been used to enhance service delivery, responsiveness, or city operations.
  • Public Service Impact: Real-world benefits across areas such as traffic management, environmental monitoring, public safety, healthcare, or education.
  • Community Engagement: How the initiative has improved digital inclusion or access to services for underserved communities.
  • Partnership Model: Structure of collaboration between the operator and city authorities, including public-private partnerships or ecosystem contributions.
  • Sustainability Impact: How the solution contributes to energy efficiency, emissions reduction, or long-term urban sustainability.
  • KPIs & Validation: Metrics demonstrating impact, such as reduced commute times, increased service reach, improved citizen satisfaction, or cost savings.
Submission Format:
  • Entries will only be accepted when submitted in the English language only.
  • Entries exceeding the 500-word limit will not be considered for review by the judges.
  • Supporting documents may be included with entry. If applicable, please submit supporting documents (up to 5 pages) in .doc, .ppt, or .pdf format. Please name the file using the format:
  • Company Name/Individual Name - Category Name
  • Only entries of Gigacity initiatives since October 2021 will be considered.
Criteria included will consider assessment of:
  • Innovation and Integration
  • Public Service Impact
  • Partnership Effectiveness
  • Scalability and Replicability
  • Sustainability and Inclusion
  • Submissions Open: 12 May 2026
  • Deadline: 6 July (24:00 + GMT2).
  • Shortlist Announcement: 14 September 2026
  • Awards Ceremony: 14 October 2026
  • No entry fee is required.
  • Each company can enter multiple awards, but only one product/solution per category.
  • Answers must adhere to the word limit, with the option to include supporting documentation.
  • 500‑word submission limit with the option to include supporting documentation.
  • For any inquiries regarding the awards, please reach out to [email protected]
  • The Broadband Excellence Awards 2026 are open to all eligible broadband industry and supporting industry companies in the broad eco-system, as defined in the individual eligibility sections for each category. The broadband eco-system consists of (WBBA members and non-members) and includes organisations from vertical industries for most categories.
  • Entries must be submitted via the WBBA Broadband Excellence Awards online submission platform (Eventsforce).
  • Entries will only be accepted when submitted in the English language only.
  • Entries exceeding the 500-word limit will not be considered for review by the judges.
  • Supporting documents may be included with entry. If applicable, please submit supporting documents (up to 5 pages) in .doc, .ppt, or .pdf format. Please name the file using the format: Company Name/Individual Name - Category Name
  • The Smart Gigacity Excellence award is evaluated based on on-going progression-based performance since October 2021.
  • Judges are selected for their industry expertise and neutrality and will recuse themselves from evaluating submissions from their own companies, if necessary.
  • The highest scoring submissions will be shortlisted, and award recipients will be revealed during the Official Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, 14th October.
  • Submissions close on 6 July (5pm UK time).
  • For any enquiries about the awards, please reach out to Nicole Cheah at [email protected].
  • Supporting documents may be included with entry. If applicable, please submit supporting documents (up to 5 pages) in .doc, .ppt, or .pdf format. Please name the file using the format: Company Name/Individual Name - Category Name
  • Make sure that supporting documents distinctly corroborate the product or service that is being nominating.

The WBBA, along with its partner Informa Tech, acknowledges and values the sensitive nature of the information provided in the entries. We ensure that this understanding is upheld by the judging panel, and entries are treated with strict confidentiality throughout the judging process.

The judging panel is carefully chosen to prevent any potential conflicts of interest. If an entry is shortlisted, only non-confidential extracts from the entry summary will be used for the awards ceremony and any related editorial coverage.

Please ensure that the entry summary does not contain any confidential information.

  • Ensure Entry Meets the Criteria: Don't let simple errors like choosing the wrong category lead to rejection. Just as judges scrutinize submissions against the criteria, it's crucial to conduct the same review.
  • Bolster Your Entry with Customer Use-Cases: Highlighting real-world deployments, success stories, and customer benefits will significantly enhance the credibility of your application.
  • Respect the Word Limit: Maximize the 500-word limit by focusing on pertinent information. Incorporate statistics, figures, and measurable results to underscore your achievements. Real-life examples demonstrating the application of your technology and its impactful outcomes are highly recommended.
  • Be Direct and Concise: Capture the judges' attention by starting with key information about your entry. Provide clear, concise explanations of the What, Where, When, and How of the submission.
  • Don't Limit Yourself to One Category: Feel free to enter multiple categories. There's no restriction on the number of categories you can participate in.
  • Meet the Deadline: Ensure the entry is submitted on time. Late entries will not be considered.
  • Network Infrastructure Innovation Excellence-China Telecom/E-Surfing loT Tech ,Turkcell
  • Al in Network Excellence-T-Mobile
  • Broadband Innovation Excellence for Future Applications-Safaricom
  • Broadband for Digital Inclusion Excellence-AztelekomOnline Azerbajjan,Globe Telecom
  • Intelligent Home Innovation Excellence-China Unicom
  • Smart Gigacity Excellence—
  • Advanced city:-(Argentina) Recreo, Charata, Cafayate and Anatuya, (China) Beijing
  • Developing City- (Kenya) Nakuru and Kiambu, (Tunisia) Tunis
  • Judging Panel Special Award:-STC
  • Recognition Awards-(Brazil) Sao Paulo and Rio, (China) Hainan, (China) Shangrao, (China) Shangrao, (China) Wuhan, (China) Wuhan, (UAE) Abu Dhabi, (USA) Estes Park
Broadband-Awards-Winners-2024
  • Outstanding Contribution the Network Excellence – China Unicom
  • Excellence in Broadband Application – China Telecom
  • Network Innovation Excellence towards Realisation of Future Networks and Services - STC
  • Product and Solution Excellence – Nokia
  • Gigacity Excellence –
  • Advanced City - Guangxi and Shanghai
  • Developing City – Algiers and Bahrain
WBBA judges are meticulously chosen for their extensive market knowledge, esteemed reputation within the industry, and commitment to impartiality. Each judge independently and anonymously evaluates every entry on a scale of 1 to 10, considering both the information provided in the entry and any accompanying supporting materials. The scores are aggregated, and the entrant with the highest average score emerges as the winner. In the event of a tie, judges deliberate to determine the ultimate victor. Any attempt by an entrant to provide additional information or exert undue influence on the judges will result in their disqualification from the awards process. The complete Awards program, encompassing categories, judges, judging methodology, and more, will be prominently featured on the WBBA website.
  • Sue Rudd, Managing Director, BB and Comms
  • Brahima Sanou, Founder and CEO, BrahPartners Ltd
  • Li Junjie, Chief Expert, China Telecom
  • Tang Hong, Chief Expert, China Telecom
  • Sun Qiong, Deputy Chief Engineer of Cloud Network Operating System R&D Center, China Telecom
  • Shi Ying, Director of Project Management Centre, China Telecom Research Institute
  • Fu Zhiren, Vice Dean, China Telecom Research Institute
  • Sun Zhenqiang, Senior Expert, China Telecom Research Institute
  • Yang Mingchuan, Director of the Big data and AI Research Division, China Telecom Research Institute
  • Xiao Qing, Deputy Chief Engineer & Senior Expert, China Telecom Shanghai Branch
  • Dr Wu Jia, Senior Engineer, Network Technology Research, China Unicom Research Institute
  • Mechthild Eickhoff, CEO, Fonds Soziokultur e. V.
  • Dr Marcus Brunner, Chief Experts for Enhanced Broadband, Huawei
  • Martin O’Brien, Senior Consultant, Business Innovation, Huawei
  • Chris Lewis, Founding Director, Lewis Insight
  • Alan Breznick, Principal Analyst, Light Reading
  • Adlane Fellah, Founder and Chief Analyst, Maravedis LLC
  • Alexia Gonzalex Fanfalone, Head of the Connectivity Servies and Infrastructure Unit, OECD
  • Ramona Zhao, Research Manager, Omdia
  • Sameer Malik, Senior Principal Analyst, Omdia
  • Kerem Arsal, Senior Principal Analyst, Omdia
  • James Crawshaw, Practice Leader, Omdia
  • Yang Guang, Senior Principal Analyst, Omdia
  • Michael Philpott, Senior Research Director, Omdia
  • Pal Karlsen, Senior Analyst, Omdia
  • Ian Redpath, Research Director, Omdia
  • Stephen Wilson, Senior Principal Analyst, Omdia
  • Katherine Macdonald, Senior Director, Ookla
  • Mark Giles, Lead Industry Analyst, Ookla
  • Kevin Hasley, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Ookla
  • Boris Koprivnikar, CEO, Sincular consulting d.o.o.
  • Prashant Gondaliya, Associate Director – Presales, VerSe Technology
  • Ambika Khurana, Chief Regulatory & Corporate Affairs, Vodafone Idea Limited

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Key Messages
Key Messages
Recommendations
Recommendations
The Importance of Greater Broadband Investment​
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Key Messages

Advanced cloud technology together with superior end-to-end connectivity can enable a wider and more sophisticated range of applications that can in turn drive greater innovation, efficiency, and wealth.
Both enterprises and broader industry ecosystems are actively looking at broadband’s role in enabling their digital transformation. Most respondents to the WBBA’s Thought Leadership Enterprise Survey stated that they need faster and more reliable internet to run their business applications.
Certainly, in the short to medium term, xDSL, cable modem, fixed-wireless access (FWA), and satellite are all expected to have a role in the delivery of broadband services. However, full-fiber access will always deliver the optimum experience and remains the most sustainable and cost-efficient option.
There is a danger therefore for governments to base their cost-benefit analysis on a national economic view. However, such analysis will miss all the social benefits, as well as the more local economic benefits, that advanced broadband networks can bring. Governments must take all benefits into account, including more localized ones, when creating national broadband policies.
However, future applications will not only need ultra-high-speed services but also ultra-low latency and jitter, with high levels of reliability and consistency if they are to function properly. Countries with networks that are not capable of meeting such criteria will be left behind as the world moves to the next phase of internet applications such as the “metaverse.”
Fiber networks are significantly more environmentally friendly than equivalent copper-based networks, and can help support other green initiatives such as greater working from home, the use of advanced videoconferencing, etc. Fiber-based networks also require less maintenance due to there being less active equipment in the field, and can therefore reduce operators’ operational costs.
With rollout of new access technologies like 5G and Fiber, IPv6 reached more than 30% penetration worldwide (APNIC) and is rapidly growing. IPv6 Enhanced technologies, including segment routing over IPv6, per flow monitoring and AI, enable a multitude of objects and people to be flexibly connected to the proper services, granting end-to-end quality of experience.
Based on the responses from the WBBA Thought Leadership Survey, respondents believed, on average, this coverage could be expanded to approximately 70% through private investment. It is clear that government support will be needed to get to 100%.
However, a lack of data on the available infrastructure, access to key infrastructure such as ducts and in-building networks, and a lack of understanding both internally and externally are also key barriers to further investment.
Respondents to the WBBA survey stated that a reduction in regulatory barriers, greater flexibility in partnership arrangements, copper switch-off regulations, and setting out minimum service standards for network installations, would all take priority over financial support.

Recommendations

All countries must look to maximize the potential of broadband. This means creating long-term national broadband plans that evolve around three basic phases of broadband adoption:

  • Phase 1: Fast deployment of basic connectivity (most likely focusing on wireless technologies)
  • Phase 2: Continued rollout of fixed-broadband access to 100% of premises
  • Phase 3: Continued investment in advanced broadband technologies to move to gigabit societies and beyond.

In order to help facilitate this evolution to advanced broadband networks, government organizations and regulators must consider:

  • Implementing regulatory flexibility, including the removal of outdated or non-essential regulation
  • Introducing flexibility in partnership arrangements; for example, allowing agreements between players, such as co-financing, collaborative models, public-private partnerships, etc.
  • Facilitating deployment through municipality approvals, using existing resources (government buildings, streetlights, ducts, etc.) and sharing infrastructure and facilities, including in-building networks. This should also include other types of utility infrastructure where possible
  • Providing financial assistance through investment support, incentives, and subsidies; e.g., universal service funds
  • Improving access to telecom facilities and physical infrastructure; improving procedures for rights of way and accessing public infrastructure, as well as broadband mapping.
Making the Recommendations a Reality

Operators, enterprises, vendors, regulators, and policy-makers should seek to create a collective voice, to evangelize, advocate, co-create, and partner in the drive toward the provision of ultra-broadband networks and services for all. Organizations such as the WBBA can help by influencing key stakeholders through discussion, education, and promotion. Specifically, the WBBA should aim to:

  • Set out the importance of greater broadband investment, not just for the good of the service provider but for countries as a whole
  • Promote regulatory, legislative, public relations agendas that help advance the interests of members through WBBA publications and live events, highlighting best-practice business models from around the world to remove any “lack of understanding at boardroom level”
  • Influence through research, discussion, and promotion of new potential marketing or naming concepts for fixed broadband to ease mass-market understanding of the different generations of broadband access – hiding technical jargon such as “Mbps,” “latency,” and “jitter” from the customer
  • Through thought leadership, media activity, and live events, continue to make the case for what governments need to recognize and do to close the industry innovation, socioeconomic, and environmental benefit gaps through infrastructure investment
  • Explore through new research the challenges and opportunities arising from changes in the industry structure, addressing its impact on the business and the standardization landscape. This includes aspects of fiber wholesale, the move toward horizontal industry structure with separation of infrastructure and services, and the change of customer relationship to digital
  • Work with stakeholder partners to understand and promote the potential of future applications that will bring new benefits to broadband customers and wider society
  • Develop in-depth thought-leadership research on the new revenue opportunities advanced networks can provide to service providers in both the consumer and enterprise markets
  • Develop and highlight best-practice investment models that show the true return on investment of a full-fiber rollout to both private companies and government organizations
  • Champion the needs of its members to highlight barriers to future investment, creating a platform to enable open discussion between different types of stakeholder to encourage greater cooperation and new partnerships.