Mobile network data holds immense potential to revolutionize official statistics by providing granular, timely, and cost-effective insights. Traditional data collection methods, such as household surveys conducted by National Statistical Offices (NSOs), are resource-intensive and time-consuming. Recognizing this, many NSOs prioritize mobile phone data over other emerging data sources. However, despite its transformative potential, NSOs frequently encounter persistent barriers to accessing and utilizing data from Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). Many projects take years to launch, facing common regulatory, technical, and institutional challenges across national contexts.
This UNSC56 side event highlights the broader applications of Mobile Phone Data (MPD) in various statistical domains, including tourism, transport, migration, population dynamics, disaster management, and the information society. Organized by the UN-CEBD Task Team on Mobile Phone Data, including the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the World Bank, Flowminder, and the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data, this event will emphasize the leadership role of NSOs in MPD initiatives, showcasing strategies for engaging MNOs while ensuring privacy, security, and public trust.
Speakers will introduce the MPD Maturity Assessment Framework and Theory of Change, equipping NSOs with tools to evaluate their current capacities and implement targeted interventions to enhance MPD use. Additionally, the event will introduce a new practical guide offering a step-by-step approach to accessing privately-held mobile phone data. This publication, produced by Positium for the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data, provides a how-to guide for NSOs, emphasizing the early stages of engagement with MNOs, navigating regulatory landscapes, and building trust through responsible data governance.
It will also feature insights from the Global Data Facility (GDF)-funded World Bank/ITU project, Putting Mobile Phone Data to Work for Policy, which supports 18 countries in leveraging MPD for policymaking. Selected NSO representatives from these countries will share their experiences and planned activities, on how they plan to use MPD to fill critical data gaps, improve timeliness and granularity, and strengthen their position as data leaders.
Location: Ford Foundation, 320 E 43rd St, New York, NY 10017, USA
Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2025
Time: 6:15 - 7:30 p.m.
Registration is required to attend the event.
