Urban-Rural Connectivity Gap Expands in OECD Countries

Recent research from the OECD reveals a growing disparity in broadband connectivity across its 61 member countries. While there has been progress in enhancing access to high-quality networks, such as fibre and 5G, the results indicate that connectivity remains uneven, necessitating focused policy efforts.

The OECD report highlights significant territorial gaps in broadband service quality between urban and rural areas, with metropolitan residents experiencing average download speeds that are 43.8% faster than those living in more remote regions by the end of 2024. This trend extends to mobile broadband as well, where urban users enjoy speeds 37.2% higher than their rural counterparts.

While fixed broadband services have improved, coverage remains incomplete. Approximately half of the OECD countries studied can provide broadband with download speeds of at least 30 Mbps to 95% of households, but only 78.5% of rural households have such access. Despite the high population coverage of 5G networks, most users are still utilizing 4G services, as indicated by GSMA Intelligence.

Additionally, the OECD points out that low- and middle-income countries often face steeper challenges in enhancing connectivity, underscoring the need for infrastructure improvements and policy reforms to bridge the digital divide.