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World Broadband Association

Connecting the World by Bringing the Benefit of Broadband to All
An independent association providing leadership for the global broadband industry.
News Release
Global Fibre Day
November 4, 2025
Recognising global World Fibre Day we are delighted to share this insightful article
WBBA sets out guidance and benchmarks for AI, broadband and fibre prosperity at BDC 2025
October 22, 2025
Global broadband innovations and excellence recognized at the Broadband Excellence Awards
Global broadband innovations and excellence recognized at the Broadband Excellence Awards
October 22, 2025
Global broadband innovations and excellence recognized at the Broadband Excellence Awards

Knowledge Center

The World Broadband Association publishes regular white papers and videos.
Download the white papers and watch our videos here. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
 

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Europe: Broadband Investment Guidebook
October, 2025
The WBBA's Europe: Broadband Investment Guidebook helps stakeholders examine the broadband landscape in Europe. It provides analysis on the key challenges facing the broadband sector in the region and offers potential solutions. The guidebook also examines public funding for broadband in Europe including with case studies. It assesses the wholesale broadband access market and how it is likely to evolve. Finally it provides commentary on future opportunities for broadband operators in Europe.
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BROADBAND AND CLOUD DEVELOPMENT INDEX REPORT 2025
October, 2025
The WBBA’s new Broadband and Cloud Development Index (BCDI) 2025 Report benchmarks the performance of these two key foundations of the digital economy in 73 countries, representing over 95% of global GDP and 80% of the world’s population. The report includes detailed new research on the impact of AI globally and market developments in Latin America, where the BCDI significantly increased country coverage. The report, which compares the BCDI results of countries in 2025 versus 2024, finds that smart government policies can incentivize companies to invest and accelerate broadband and cloud markets, leading some countries to outperform in 2025.
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AI FOR NET5.5G AND NET5.5G FOR AI
October, 2025
"This white paper explores how AI integrates with Net5.5G, using its architecture as a foundation. It details embedding AI models into all Net5.5G components to enhance interactions and explains how AI makes the IP network more intelligent, resilient, secure, and optimized for an AI-driven future."
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TEST ANALYSIS OF WBBA & GSMA VOICE OVER WI-FI
October, 2025
"This report focuses on the quality-of-service optimization and assurance for the VoWiFi proof of concept (POC) within the WBBA POC framework, hosted by China Telecom in its laboratories and led by GSMA’s 5G VoWiFi task force. The POC demonstrated that network metrics, such as bandwidth, delay, and reliability, can be effectively managed. It confirmed that end-to-end optimization allows VoWiFi to supplement cellular coverage and meet user communication needs with guaranteed QoS, even in areas with weak or no cellular coverage."
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Achieving Broadband Excellence: 2025 Best Practices Case Studies
October, 2025
In an era of rapid digital transformation, the broadband industry stands at the forefront of shaping inclusive, sustainable, and resilient societies. The World Broadband Association (WBBA) is proud to present Best Practices Case Studies – Achieving Broadband Excellence, a testament to the ingenuity, collaboration, and commitment of our global members.
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Fiber Development Index (FDI) Analysis 2025
October, 2025
This report provides an analysis of Omdia’s Fiber Development Index (FDI). The FDI quantifies and ranks the level of investment in fiber optical networks across thirteen metrics on a country-level basis. This analysis helps industry stakeholders, including policymakers, regulators, service providers, and suppliers, support the development and growth of the fiber industries in their respective countries.
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Beyond Broadband: Revolutionizing CPN Connectivity
Working Group 6 – CPN
June, 2025
As broadband networks evolve toward multi-gigabit speeds and ultra-low latency, the WBBA’s Working Group 6 highlights a critical shift: the customer premises network (CPN) is now the key to delivering true quality of experience. This white paper explores how next-generation applications - from cloud gaming and 8K streaming to XR and AI-powered smart homes - are redefining performance expectations beyond bandwidth alone.
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Circular Economies and the Evolution of Fixed Broadband
Working Group 3 - Environmental Sustainability
June, 2025
Global broadband infrastructure is transitioning from copper cables to fiber, while many telecom operators have developed circular economy policies. The report examines the progress, benefits, and regulations associated with the transition from copper to fiber broadband networks, as well as operators' practices of recycling and reusing retired copper infrastructure as part of their broader circular economy strategies.
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Expanding Advanced Fixed Broadband Networks For All
Working Group 1 - Generational Roadmap
June, 2025
The World Broadband Association’s latest white paper outlines a clear roadmap for building advanced fixed broadband networks that fuel sustainable socioeconomic growth. As future applications demand ultra-reliable, low-latency, and secure connectivity, “being connected” is no longer enough. This paper explores optimal technology strategies—from fibre and 5G FWA to LEO satellites—to bridge digital divides in both developed and emerging markets.
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Africa: Broadband Investment Guidebook
Working Group 2 - Broadband Advocacy
April, 2025
This guidebook helps stakeholders examine investment in broadband infrastructure, focusing on Africa. It provides insight into why investment in broadband in Africa is important, current trends in broadband investment in the region, the key metrics stakeholders must consider, the ways they can make broadband infrastructure investment more viable as well as potential financing and business models for broadband infrastructure deployment.
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Gigacity Index 2025
Working Group 1 - Generational Roadmap
February, 2025
Gigabit broadband is crucial for next-gen internet and AI applications. To deliver a true gigabit experience, operators must invest in advanced end-to-end networks, including Wi-Fi 6/7, next-gen PON, and 400/800G WDM. Regulations must go beyond fiber deployment to encourage ongoing investment.
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Net5.5G Best Practices and Deployment Guide
Working Group 4 - Network Architecture and Technology
February, 2025
The Net 5.5G Best Practices and Development Guide discusses the adoption and maturity of Net5.5G, as well as case studies and success stories from key industry players—operators, carriers, cloud providers, enterprises, cities, and campuses—who have contributed to the Net5.5G value chain across five continents by successfully implementing Net5.5G scenarios and functionalities.
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Using Artificial Intelligence in the Predeployment Phases of Broadband Infrastructure
Working Group 7
February, 2025
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming pervasive among broadband service providers. This white paper from the World Broadband Association (WBBA) outlines the current and potential application areas of artificial intelligence (AI) specifically within the context of broadband predeployment phases (i.e., before rollouts).
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Enriched service over converged Wi-Fi and cellular
February, 2025
The Enriched Service Over Converged Wi-Fi and Cellular Paper has been written by the GSMA 5G Voice over Wi-Fi Task Force (5GVoWiFi TF) and is the result of collaboration amongst a number of TF member companies as well as input from the Wireless Broadband Alliance and World Broadband Association.
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The Role of AI in Fixed Networks Sustainability
Working Group 3 - Environmental Sustainability
November, 2024
This white paper examines the various AI-enabled use cases that drive operational efficiencies and lead to reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions while supporting greener and more resilient fixed broadband infrastructure
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Fiber Development Index Analysis 2024
Working Group 1 - Generational Roadmap
October, 2024
This report provides an analysis of Omdia’s Fiber Development Index (FDI). The FDI quantifies and ranks the level of investment in fiber optical networks across nine metrics on a country-level basis. This analysis helps industry stakeholders, including policymakers, regulators, service providers, and suppliers, support the development and growth of the fiber industries in their respective countries.
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North America: Broadband Investment Outlook
Working Group 2 - Broadband Advocacy
October, 2024
This guidebook helps stakeholders examine investment in broadband infrastructure, focusing on North America. It provides insight into the key metrics stakeholders must consider, the ways they can make broadband infrastructure investment more viable, as well as potential financing and business models for broadband infrastructure deployment.
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Broadband and Cloud Development Index 2024 Report
Working Group 5 - Broadband and Cloud Development Index
October, 2024
The World Broadband Association (WBBA) has expanded its Broadband and Cloud Development Index (BCDI) for 2024, now covering 62 countries representing over 90% of global GDP and 75% of the world's population. The report includes new metrics on AI adoption, data centre investment, and sustainable energy. As a crucial resource for industry stakeholders, the BCDI 2024 Report aids in identifying best practices and growth opportunities in the broadband and cloud markets, which are projected to generate over $1 trillion worldwide by 2025.
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The Impact on Broadband Networks of Deploying Metaverse Applications at Scale
Working Group 1 - Generational Roadmap
September, 2024
The metaverse and extended reality (XR) are set to transform the internet, with applications potentially matching today's mobile ecosystem. As XR devices evolve, increased cloud processing will require robust networks. To ensure global access and reap socioeconomic benefits, countries must plan for advanced all-fiber broadband infrastructure aligned with WBBA guidelines.
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Network Evolution For the 5.5G And 6G Era
Working Group 4 - Network Architecture and Technology
June, 2024
Net5.5G framework presents the key features including 400/800GE IP converged transport network with SRv6-based slicing, high-quality 10Gbps campus network with Wi-Fi 7, and 400/800GE hyper-converged DCN with Network Scale Load Balancing. Net5.5G ensures experiences of AR/VR, supports AI training and inference, and delivering AI-related services to the end user.
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Subjective Analysis of WBBA WG4 Cloud-Network Convergence Proof-of-Concept Project Test Report
Working Group 4 - Network Architecture and Technology
June, 2024
Dive into the future of digital transformation with our captivating white paper, "Driving the Future: Understanding the Landscape of Cloud-Network Convergence." As demand skyrockets for 5G, gigabit fiber, and IoT applications, the synergy between cloud and network infrastructures is revolutionizing both enterprise IT and at-home consumer needs.
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WBBA Broadband Investment Guidebook 2024
Working Group 2 - Broadband Advocacy
May, 2024
This guidebook provides guidance and advice to all stakeholders considering investment in broadband infrastructure.
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China Telecom’s Whole-home WiFi service
Blog
May, 2024
China Telecom Whole-home WiFi Case Study: New In-Home Networking Technology Boosts User Satisfaction
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Gamtel National Broadband Network investment case study
Blog
May, 2024
This report analyses how broadband is considered one of the key drivers fuelling the global economy and is critical for inclusive and sustainable growth.
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Gigacity: Unleashing the power of connection and innovation
Working Group 1 - Generational Roadmap
April, 2024
The creation of gigacities is essential to maximize a country’s socioeconomic development. With increasing levels of urbanization around the world, gigacity investment is an efficient way of getting gigabit broadband technology to large portions of the population and industry zones.
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Fixed Networks Energy Efficiency Toolkit
Working Group 3 - Environmental Sustainability
March, 2024
Energy efficiency, crucial for net-zero goals, is now central to EU, US, and China policies. In telecom, it is a major contributor to carbon footprints reduction and a key element of telco sustainability strategies. This research highlights insights from the WBBA’s report on improving fixed broadband networks' energy efficiency.
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WBBA Broadband Cloud Development Index Identifies Global Leaders and Best Practice
Working Group 5 - Broadband and Cloud Development Index
October, 2023
The global broadband and cloud computing markets combined are worth more than $656bn, but their indirect impacts may be even greater because they are two of the key foundations of the digital economy.
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The Importance of Greater Broadband Investment
Working Group 2 - Broadband Advocacy
September, 2023
This report analyzes the need for greater broadband investment to support continued socioeconomic growth.
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Driving the future: Understanding the landscape of Cloud Network Convergence 2023
Working Group 4 - Network Architecture and Technology
August, 2023
The WBBA Working Group 4 Whitepaper is here!
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Next-generation broadband roadmap 2023 to 2030
Working Group 1 - Generational Roadmap
July, 2023
Broadband networks have experienced significant growth since their initial deployments in the early 2000s. These networks have advanced from offering speeds of a few hundred kilobits per second to modern fiber-based networks that provide a global average speed of 200 Mbps.
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Broadband Investment Demands and Trends 2023
Working Group 2 - Broadband Advocacy
July, 2023
This report analyzes the demand for broadband investment as well as current investment trends.
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Evaluating the Telecom Industry's Sustainability Potential
Working Group 3 - Environmental Sustainability
July, 2023
Recent survey of leading telecom service provider and vendors to evaluate telecom operators’ level of commitment to sustainability.
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Sustainability in Telecom Service Providers' Strategy
Working Group 3 - Environmental Sustainability
October, 2022
This report analyzes the benefits of sustainability management and sets forth best practices.
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Broadband Case Study Success Stories
Working Group 2 - Broadband Advocacy
September, 2022
This report analyzes the power of high-speed broadband to benefit consumers and improve society.
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Next-Generation Broadband Roadmap
Working Group 1 - Generational Roadmap
August, 2022
This report sets out the WBBA’s roadmap for the future broadband network of 2030 and beyond.

Events

Convening the Global Broadband Industry
The World Broadband Association convenes operators, vendors, the investment community and more to bring you regular,
global telecom and broadband industry-leading events, both online and in-person.
upcoming event
November 10, 2025
BDC Cape Town 2025
Africa’s broadband revolution is here, and you’re invited to be part of it. Join us at the first-ever WBBA BDC hosted by African members — a groundbreaking initiative that puts Africa at the center of the global broadband conversation. Hosted by Openserve, this gathering explores the major forces reshaping Africa’s connectivity. From government leadership to industry innovation, this forum brings together Africa’s most influential decision-makers to shape the continent’s digital future. Join the discussion. Connect with leaders. Help build Africa’s broadband future.
AI for Net5.5G and Industry Best Practices
October 30, 2025
WEBINAR
EVENT
AI for Net5.5G and Industry Best Practices
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October 14, 2025
Event
EVENT
Broadband Development Congress 2025
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October 1, 2025
EVENT
EVENT
BDC Sao Paulo 2025

What is the World Broadband Association?

The World Broadband Association (WBBA) is a multilateral, broadband industry-led association, providing leadership for digital broadband across the next decade.

Our objective is to overcome broadband industry challenges and support the drive towards the provision of broadband networks and services for all. With a goal of accelerating the healthy development of the global telecom industry, with sustainable benefits for stakeholders, end users, and society.

The WBBA is an independent legal entity registered in Switzerland.

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Working Groups

Discover the Working Groups

Generational Roadmap

By better understanding the scale, nature and timing of the future demand for services and applications, the first World Broadband Association working group is responsible for the Next Generation Broadband Roadmap.

 
Broadband Advocacy
The WBBA has a working group dedicated to developing and advocating a set of arguments for why it is important and beneficial to invest in developing broadband in any given region.
 
Environmental Sustainability

Embracing sustainability as a core element of corporate strategy offers great potential for the telecom industry, enabling companies to mitigate risks, improve operational efficiencies, enhance their reputation, access capital and drive innovation.

 
Network Technology
The fourth WBBA working group is focused on understanding the landscape of cloud network convergence, assessing and advising on how to achieve “cloud and network as one” and realise congestion-free new transport infrastructure with better network elastic scalability, enhanced intelligence, and true deterministic experience.
 
Annual Flagship Research

World Broadband Association’s mission to drive social-economic change required a robust understanding of the state, scale and nature of the digital divide.

 

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Membership Enquiries

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Martin Creaner
Director General of the World Broadband Association

Martin Creaner is one of the leading strategic thinkers in the global communications industry with a successful career as an executive with Motorola and British Telecom, as well as over a decade as President and CEO of the TM Forum.

Martin currently advises the boards of a number of companies in the communications and high tech industries, ranging from up-and-coming digital economy companies, to market leaders.

Martin has been named among the 25 Most Influential People in Telecom Software by Billing World and has twice been named as one of Global Telecoms Business’ Top 100. Martin holds a Master of Business Administration from Cranfield University, Cranfield School of Management; a Master of Science in Telecommunications from the University of East Anglia; and Bachelor’s degrees in Engineering and Physics from Dublin City University and the University College Dublin, respectively.

Martin is also a recognized thought-leader on digital transformation and the trends of the emerging digital economy. His most recent book “Transforming the Telco” explains the opportunities and challenges that digital transformation presents and outlines how the Telco might navigate this difficult process.

Previous books include “Delivering the Digital Economy”, which outlines the dynamics of the digital economy, and “Frameworx Distilled” & “NGOSS Distilled”, which provide a detailed guidebook to the standards that underpin the Telecom software industry.

Martin was appointed unanimously to the role of Director General by WBBA members.

Martin lives in Cork, Ireland.