There are two basic ways by which broadband can help societies solving social problems: digital inclusion (direct access by poor and low-income customers) and service process improvement.

Supranational approach by the United Nations (like the Growing Sustainable Businesses, UNDP's project) can add value to the effort, but nationally driven strategies are necessary to adequate institutional environment. Understanding Latin American particular skills and profile is the key to provide businesses and civil society the correct actions to planning, designing, and providing services and products to the "Base of Pyramid" market.

Some companies have already explored this path and have something to share with the others.

Cláudio Boechat Professor Fundação Dom Cabral

Mr. Boechat's present professional activities include knowledge development in the field of responsible and sustainable business management. He gives frequent speeches and classes in Brazil and in the exterior. Mr. Boechat has been a teacher, researcher, and project manager at sustainability and corporate responsibility nucleus, Fundação Dom Cabral, Brazil, since 2002. He is the FDC representative in many national and international forums. Mr. Boechat is the Brazilian representative in the Globally Responsible Leaders Initiative, sponsored by U.N. Global Compact and European Foundation for Management Development.

David Cavallo Director One Laptop Per Child

Mr. Cavallo is the co-head of the Media Lab's Future of Learning research group, which focuses on the design and implementation of new learning environments and on the design of new technologies to change the way we think about learning and school.

Valerie Faudon Vice President, Marketing Programs Alcatel-Lucent

Ms. Faudon also leads the "Broadband for ALL" program at the global level. She joined Alcatel in 2003 in the corporate marketing office in Paris. Previously Ms. Faudon worked at Hewlett-Packard for 13 years in various marketing and sales management positions in the United States, France, and Europe. She holds a B.S. in mathematics and physics from Ecole Polytechnique in France, a B.A. in political science from the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris, and a Master of Science in engineering and economics from Stanford University.

Martin Luest Head, Broadband Access Nokia Siemens Networks

Mr. Luest was President of Fixed Networks Access Division of Siemens Communications. He has also held the position of Head of Solution Management for Consumer VoIP solutions in 2004. During his career at Siemens, Mr. Luest has been Head of the Technical Sales organization for Fixed Networks and from 1999 to 2003 held various positions in Singapore and Australia. He joined Siemens in 1991 moving into the Telecom Division in 1993. Mr. Luest graduated with a degree in physics from the Technical University in Munich and CALTEC (United States).