This report examines the way in which broadband networks interact with the economy, the role they play in creating the conditions for sustainable economic growth and prosperity, and the structural changes they enable. Emphasis is put on the economic impacts, in particular on growth, globalisation and employment.

The report was presented to the Working Party on the Information Economy (WPIE) at its meeting in May 2007 as part of the work for the 2008 OECD Ministerial on - The Future of the Internet Economy. It was discussed and recommended to be made public by the Committee for Information, Computer and Communications Policy in October 2007.

The report was prepared by Desir?e van Welsum, OECD Secretariat. It forms part of a larger body of work on the economic impacts of ICTs carried out in the Working Party on the Information Economy.