Digital inclusion The Internet is more integral to our lives than ever. It’s not only where we browse, shop, and play—but, increasingly, also where we socialize, work, and learn. The early days of the pandemic saw spikes in Internet traffic of as much as 45 percent in parts of the world. And Cisco predicts that this is only a glimpse of the traffic volume we will see in the 5G era, with 29.3 billion connected devices expected in 2023. While the Internet now serves as a critical lifeline for many, much of the world remains unconnected. An estimated 3.7 billion people , about half of the world’s population, lack access to the Internet, can’t afford the cost, or don’t have the information and communication technology skills to leverage the web . This issue is by no means limited to developing countries. In the United States, 30 million people lack high-speed Internet access, and on Native American reservations, 40 percent of people have no connectivity or even basic wireless services. Many of these unconnected people live in rural, low-density areas where the construction of high-speed networks is less cost-effective. As the maker of much of the technology on which the Internet runs, Cisco understands the importance of transforming how we build networks so that we can change the economics of the Internet. We’re doing this by partnering with top service providers and web-scale companies to redesign their networks, and are offering solutions, such as our mass-scale routing portfolio, that help providers offer Internet access at a lower cost. Cisco also conducts proprietary research, including the Digital Readiness Index (DRI), to understand countries’ levels of digital readiness and what would most help them move forward on their digital journey. This Index offers a holistic analysis of digital readiness and measures components including basic needs, human capital, business and government investment, ease of doing business, startup environment, technology adoption, and technology infrastructure. The Index provides guidance on how countries can improve their overall readiness to foster an inclusive digital economy. In partnership with countries, cities, educational institutions, tribes, and social entrepreneurs, Cisco is helping bridge gaps and bring everyone into the digital future. FUTURE INTRO POWER INCLUSIVE 2021 Cisco Purpose Report | csr.cisco.com | ESG Reporting Hub 32