The African Telecommunications Union (ATU) and open source software firm Mozilla have signed a memorandum of understanding to help develop rural ICT connectivity across the continent and ensure affordable access to communications infrastructure.

In a statement, ATU secretary general John Omo said everyone needs affordable access to communication and warned that access strategies that are not inclusive could widen the digital divide.

He added that the MoU acknowledges the need to urgently address access to spectrum in rural areas in order to unlock innovation and investment, and that spectrum remains dramatically under-utilised in rural areas because of limited investment by existing operators.

According to Omo COVID-19 has highlighted the need for rural connectivity and that some areas lack basic voice connectivity.

“This is despite the fact that 60% of Africa’s population is based in rural areas, a lot of which still lacks supportive infrastructure such as road access and energy. These factors render conventional service provisioning in these areas commercially unviable,” said Omo.

Mozilla CEO Mitchell Baker said those with affordable phone or internet services have the advantage of access to the ever-increasing educational resources, opportunities, services and social safety nets that the unconnected fall further behind just by standing still.

Baker noted that the project with ATU is in line with the strategic objectives of ATU and Mozilla’s Africa programme.

She said the programme recognises issues with some facets of spectrum regulation, such as auctions, which could act as a firewall to competition, “creating a financial barrier for innovative, small service providers who could bring new technology and business models to rural service.”

“I believe access to spectrum in underserved regions cannot be treated purely as an economic decision. If citizens can’t take advantage of modern communications tools, an approach focused simply on auctions will amplify inequalities. Spectrum strategies need to reflect the urgency of making access to broadband both inclusive and affordable.”