It is a big challenge offering high-end telecommunication services in distant and rural areas because of the high costs of fitting and maintaining fibre optic cables or wireless networks. For example, mobile telecommunications have permitted many Africans to leapfrog fixed-line networks and move directly into wireless technology. In addition, 3D printing of bridges, use of cargo drones for delivery, and balloons to provide internet access are being exploited as potential solutions. To facilitate the increased use of new technologies to close the last mile gap, financial and regulatory challenges will need to be addressed.