The World Economic Forum (WEF) has announced the launch of an Essential Digital Infrastructure and Services Network (EDISON) Alliance.

• Geneva-based World Economic Forum (WEF), which describes itself as an international organisation for public-private partnership, will serve as the secretariat and platform for the EDISON Alliance.
• A wider group of ‘Champions Leaders’ will advise and support the Alliance, the WEF said while announcing the launch.
• Alliance aims to work towards ensuring global and equitable access to the digital economy.
• Its prime goal is to ensure an unprecedented level of cross-sectoral collaboration between the technology industry and other critical sectors of the economy, according to the WEF.

Why need such an alliance?

• Access to digital technologies has enabled many to work, learn and live during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• However, the pandemic has exposed and exacerbated existing gaps and inequalities almost half of the global population.
• Some 3.6 billion people, remain offline and broadband services are too expensive for 50 per cent of the population in developed countries, the WEF said.
• These hampers access to health, education and economic inclusion.