OECD Digital Economy Papers
The OECD Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) undertakes a wide range of activities to better understand how information and communication technologies (ICTs) contribute to sustainable economic growth and social well-being. The OECD Digital Economy Papers series covers a broad range of ICT-related issues and makes selected studies available to a wider readership. They include policy reports, which are officially declassified by an OECD Committee, and occasional working papers, which are meant to share early knowledge.
- ISSN: 20716826 (online)
- https://doi.org/10.1787/20716826
Universal Service Obligations and Broadband
This paper examines the question of whether the scope of universal service should be widened to
include broadband. A common concern in OECD countries is that some groups without access to highspeed
broadband networks, such as those residing in rural and sparsely populated remote areas, will be
unable to access the benefits expected of broadband access, from on-line services including education,
health and government services. This problem is expected to grow in significance as broadband service
becomes increasingly important and pervasive.
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