Course Overview
Despite the growth of internet coverage in all parts of the world, over 4 billion people are still offline. Of the 3.2 billion people who are connected, nearly 1.2 billion don’t have access to high-speed internet access. Closing the mobile coverage gap is primarily an economic challenge. Uncovered populations typically live in rural locations with low population densities, low per-capita income levels and weak or non-existent enabling infrastructure. This course considers the challenges and opportunities that the public and private sectors face in bringing coverage to the uncovered, thereby giving them access to greater social and economic opportunities.
Course Objectives
– Explore the role of the government and the private sector in improving connectivity.
– Learn how innovation and infrastructure sharing can help bridge the coverage gap.
– Learn about best practices in policy and regulation to foster investment in rural networks.
– Learn about examples of successful rural coverage projects.
Genaro has spent the last three years working with local governments and mobile operators to develop connectivity strategies that leverage new technology, policy modernization, and innovative finance to solve the multidimensional challenge of rural connectivity. This works has taken him to countries including France, Indonesia, Tanzania, Chad, DRC, Colombia, and Argentina, among others. He has published various reports about the economics and policy framework for rural connectivity and has provided training for governments in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Prior to the GSMA, Genaro worked as an engineer for a French mobile operator. He holds a Telecommunications Engineering degree from UNAM University, a Master's in Networks and Computer Systems from Telecom Paristech, and a Master's in Public Administration from the London School of Economics.
Ronda developed and directs the Capacity Building programme’s eLearning platform. She has more than 10 years of teaching and training delivery experience, both face-to-face and online. She has also worked with learners across five continents, at all education levels, and in government. She has regional expertise in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, and subject matter expertise in public policy, gender, and mobile learning. Ronda has a PhD in Information and Communication Technologies for Development from the University of London.
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