A NASA team based in Ohio, USA, was asked by the local economic development organisation to assess barriers to digital connectivity in the city of Cleveland. Lunar scientists proposed  attaching WiFi routers to approximately 20 000 lampposts or utility poles spaced no more than 100 yards apart, in order to ensure provision of around 7,5 megabits per second (Mbps) download speed in a four-person home across the area. Each router would provide internet connection within a 50-yard radius from its host pole. Local companies have been invited to submit proposals to implement the recommendations.

The World Economic Forum published a piece calling for sustainable and social financing initiatives to meet the estimated USD2.1 trillion needed to halve the global digital divide in the next five years.

In England, a £126m funding boost to the Get Help with Technology programme will see up to half a million more laptops or tablets given to young people, on top of the 1.3m already distributed. Children leaving care, those with a social worker and those who have recently arrived from Afghanistan will be included.