White Paper Financing a Forward-Looking Internet for All

The document advocates for moving beyond basic internet connectivity to 'forward-looking access'—infrastructure with the speed and quality necessary for advanced digital ecosystems. It introduces a five-level maturity model for internet usage and highlights the significant GDP growth associated with increased broadband penetration and speed. The report identifies a funding shortfall of nearly $1 trillion for ICT infrastructure by 2040 and argues that traditional private-sector financing is insufficient. It recommends public-sector interventions such as 'dig once' policies and anchor tenancies, alongside blended finance, project bundling, and securitization to attract diverse capital providers.

• There is a strong correlation between internet penetration and economic growth, with every 10% increase in penetration correlating with a GDP growth rate increase of up to 2.8 percentage points. Additionally, doubling download speeds is associated with a 0.3 percentage-point increase in per-capita GDP growth.
• The document establishes a five-level 'maturity' framework for internet use. Level One is basic browsing and text communication; Level Two involves enrichment like streaming and online shopping; Level Three is essential connectivity for life and career; Level Four involves the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart technologies; and Level Five is a future state involving AI, holographic conferencing, and medical implants.
• Advanced connectivity requires specific infrastructure: fibre-optic cable is the only practical path for Level 5 usage, and 5G is necessary for high-bandwidth, low-latency applications like self-driving cars. Older technologies like copper and 3G/4G are insufficient for these advanced maturity levels.
• Significant global disparities in ICT infrastructure exist, particularly in Least Developed Countries (LDCs). In 2015, 4G connectivity reached 62% of the world's population but only 24% of the population in LDCs.
• The G20's Global Infrastructure Hub estimates a funding shortfall of nearly $1 trillion for ICT infrastructure by 2040, with the largest gaps located in Africa and Asia.
• Traditional financing relies heavily on private network operators, but this model is failing because operators have a small share of the value from traffic growth and face declining average revenue per user (ARPU).
• Analysis of 28 EU countries suggests that the societal returns in GDP growth from upgrading infrastructure to support Level 4 usage can exceed the capital expenditure within 7 to 18 months.
• The report recommends several public-sector policy interventions to lower costs and attract investment, including 'dig once' policies (which can add less than 1% to project costs), anchor tenancies for guaranteed data consumption, and the timely release of affordable spectrum.
• To unlock additional funding, the document proposes blended financing—using development and philanthropic funds to mobilize private capital—alongside project bundling, securitization (such as social bonds), and the creation of infrastructure marketplaces.

APA

World Economic Forum (2018). White Paper Financing a Forward-Looking Internet for All. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WP_Financing_Forward-Looking_Internet_for_All_report_2018.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. White Paper Financing a Forward-Looking Internet for All. 2018. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WP_Financing_Forward-Looking_Internet_for_All_report_2018.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=White Paper Financing a Forward-Looking Internet for All |date=April 2018 |url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WP_Financing_Forward-Looking_Internet_for_All_report_2018.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2018white, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{White Paper Financing a Forward-Looking Internet for All}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2018}, month = apr, url = {http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WP_Financing_Forward-Looking_Internet_for_All_report_2018.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }