Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to promote (a) digital connectivity and (b) internet access in (i) small island development states and (ii) other nations in the Commonwealth.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office supports the inclusive, responsible, and sustainable digital transformation of partner countries.

Our Digital Development Strategy 2024-2030 aims to support last-mile connectivity, to help close the digital divide in a world where 2.6 billion people are still offline.

Through our Digital Access Programme, we catalyse sustainable, scalable technology and business models that enhance access to inclusive and affordable Internet connectivity.

We work with telecoms regulators in developing countries, facilitating peer learning with Ofcom, and sharing approaches to spectrum management that enable internet service providers to serve remote low-income areas.

To drive safe and productive use of digital connectivity, we support digital skills and cyber-hygiene awareness, with a focus on underserved communities and marginalised groups, for example women and persons living with disabilities.

The Digital Access Programme has sustainably improved the digital inclusion of over 15 million people, within 5,000 communities across 5 countries, including 3 Commonwealth members: Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.

In Indonesia, we supported 'community networks' that use local recyclable materials and renewable energy for local internet infrastructure; and we're sharing this knowledge through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and with the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Pacific.

Working with the Commonwealth Telecoms Organisation we are engaging with its 33 member states (including SIDS) to support policies, strategies, and regulations that create a conducive environment for inclusive connectivity and affordable digital access.