Governments around the world are tightening control over citizens’ data and using claims of “fake news” to suppress dissent and erode trust in the internet, as well as the foundations of democracy, according to this report.

The 2018 Affordability Report assesses the policy and regulatory progress made across 61 low- and middle-income countries and finds that, despite growing global attention on the importance of affordable internet access for all, policies are failing to advance at the pace needed to do so.

According to this new Pew Research Center analysis, most sub-Saharan Africans feel positively about the role the internet plays in their country. Large majorities say the increasing use of the internet has had a good influence on education in their country, and half or more say the same about the economy, personal relationships and politics.

Digital inclusion is based on the premise that everyone should be able to make full use of digital technologies – to manage their health and wellbeing, access education and services, organise their finances, and connect with friends, family, and the world beyond.

This report presents the research findings on the reported experience of both residential households (households) and small and medium-sized businesses (businesses) connecting to and using services delivered over the NBN.