3.9 billion of people still do not have access to the Internet

New information and communication technologies (ICTs) play a crucial role in promoting the economy and achieving Sustainable Development Goals. However, to date, many people on the planet do not have the opportunity to enjoy their benefits. 3.9 billion of them still do not have access to the Internet.

This was stated in the new report of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

The authors of the report note that information and communication technologies form the backbone of the current economy. Thanks to them, people have more opportunities in the spheres of production and employment. ICT help people to carry out banking operations and to use many social and medical
services.
Farmers, for example, use drones and satellite imagery to monitor crops. Physicians and scientists mobilize "artificial intelligence" to collect and analyze information and conduct research in the field of molecular genetics.

"The contribution of the digital revolution is becoming more apparent with each passing hour. The Agenda for Sustainable Development till 2030 recognizes the enormous potential of a global digital revolution for the progress of humanity," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in the preface to the report.

Introducing the new report, ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao said that every effort should be made to connect all of the world's inhabitants to the Global Web. To date, almost half of the world's population - 3.9 billion people - still do not have access to huge resources on the Internet.

The head of ITU spoke about the opportunities offered by the fifth generation mobile communication technologies. 5G technologies will contribute to the emergence of the most incredible applications and computer scenarios. They will allow people to go online at the speed of up to several gigabits per second.

The head of ITU said that today there is a rapid development of the fifth generation network (5G), which can dramatically change the life of mankind for the better, un.org reports.