The OECD Council Recommendation no. OECD/LEGAL/0322 on broadband development

Summary

The OECD’s Recommendation on Broadband Connectivity, revised in 2021, aims to foster competition, investment, and innovation in broadband development, while ensuring digital inclusion and mitigating environmental impacts. Recognizing the vital role of connectivity in the digital transformation, the Recommendation urges governments and regulatory authorities to promote non-discriminatory policies that expand access to high-capacity networks, enhance competition, and close digital divides. It emphasizes the need for resilient, secure, and high-capacity networks, particularly during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, and calls for transparent spectrum management and streamlined infrastructure deployment. The Recommendation also highlights the importance of reducing environmental impacts of communication networks and regularly assessing broadband markets to adapt public policy initiatives.