The Steering Committee on Policies and Strategies for the Global Digital Divide Initiative of the World Economic Forum (WEF) was invited in June 2001 by regulators from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to participate and share perspectives in a consultative e-readiness process. The result of the process was an action framework entitled "Better, Faster, Cheaper: Developing and Leveraging World Class ICT Networks for Social and Economic Advancement" that was presented by the Steering Committee on Policies and Strategies as a deliverable to the Task Force at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting 2002.

The report focuses on SADC-specific policies and recommendations, but the methodology can be replicated in other areas of the world, and the research can be customized to reflect the realities of other specific areas. The concepts included in this report have emerged from a dialogue with experts in the fields of information technology and regulation. The aim was to engage an international consultative effort throughout all stages, with the goal of establishing a clear and consistent strategy for achieving e-readiness. The report therefore forms the first stage of a wider approach by the Steering Committee on Policies and Strategies to pursue e-readiness consultations on a global scale.

The Steering Committee on Policies and Strategies commissioned Bridges.org with managing the consultative process and drafting the report.