What happens when affordable broadband finally reaches the half of the planet that has little or no Internet access? Google, Facebook, SpaceX, and many others have major initiatives underway to connect the rest of the planet over the next few years. For the first time, even the poorest and most remote of global citizens will have access to information, communications, identity authentication, government programs, global philanthropy, online banking, telehealth, distance education, and other powerful services heretofore impossible. In The Great Connecting, Jim Cashel speaks with the major players driving the broadband revolution and travels to the most remote corners of the globe to consider the changes in our world about to take place ― certainly one of the biggest events in human history. As Cashel explains, the expansion of broadband offers many challenges but will also bring a remarkable opportunity for the planet.

Author

Jim Cashel is a researcher and Visiting Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He also is Chairman of Forum One, a web strategy and development firm. After completing studies in Human Biology at Stanford University, and Public Policy and Medicine at Harvard University, Jim has worked in international development, philanthropy, and technology. When not on the road, Jim lives with his family in Sonoma, California.