Inclusively: Making telecoms more inclusive and diverse

Why Inclusively?

We want to help the telecoms industry understand how it can build towards a more inclusive future. This requires a fresh approach to bring formerly excluded groups of customers into the market.

Who are the excluded customer groups?

• The disabled: roughly 16% of the global population (WHO)
• Older adults: the number of people aged 80 years or older is expected to triple between 2020 and 2050 (WHO) 
• The 37% of the world’s population that has still never used the Internet because of affordability, reach or skill (United Nations)

What needs to change?

To date, the telecom industry has designed its products and services for a sweet-spot market of people with the education and economic means to access them. The assumption has been that this is the most profitable strategy.

In reality, this design-for-the-center approach limits or excludes access to the consumer groups listed above, which make up a huge proportion of the addressable market.

What does the telecom industry need?

The industry needs an inclusive design approach that addresses the needs and capabilities of all user segments through a broader range of use cases, applications and services, leveraging new technologies and business models.
Inclusive design entails a new organizational culture that creates employment opportunities for a diverse workforce and a more inclusive work environment where organizations can benefit from a broader set of skills and talent.

What is Inclusively?

We are still at the beginning of the journey toward inclusivity. We lack a holistic approach to capture a wider array of market segments from the initial stages of development, design and implementation. We need to instill a stronger awareness of inclusivity and the positive value of diversity in education and workplace culture.

With Inclusively, we want to create a place for everyone in the telecom ecosystem to share insights and experiences; to discuss new approaches, policies and technologies; and to document our progress in making telecom more inclusive, diverse, and sustainable for the workforce and users.

Who is behind Inclusively?

Chris Lewis, Lewis Insight, and Monica Paolini, Senza Fili, two independent telecom analysts, have joined forces to create Inclusively, and work with partners and sponsors to expand its reach.

How can you contribute?

Inclusively can only succeed with your involvement. Contact us at inclusively@senzafili.com if you want to participate in Inclusively as a sponsor or partner, talk to us, or receive information on upcoming events and initiatives.