Last Mile Connectivity: Addressing the Affordability Frontier

This working paper addresses the challenge to implement ‘last mile’ solutions that deliver affordable internet connectivity to communities in Asia and the Pacific region. It examines how COVID-19 increased demand for internet access and explains why new technologies are failing to deliver affordable connectivity to rural and remote populations. It explores access gaps and details technological, regulatory, and investment strategies that can help close the digital divide. Explaining how last-mile connectivity can provide affordable, resilient, and reliable solutions, it shows why it is central to building an inclusive digital future for all.