Private sector invests in universal connectivity

The mobile phone industry has pledged over $9 billion towards the goal of connecting the world. ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin said, “Thanks to these new commitments, millions of people will benefit from accessible and affordable connectivity across the world.”

Around 2.6 billion people remain offline worldwide, according to data from the specialized UN agency, which drives innovation in communications technology. As telecommunications infrastructure forms the backbone of connectivity and digital transformation, it is vital for closing the global digital divide and overcoming development impediments in areas from education and health to government services and trade, the agency said.

To achieve that, ITU has called for $100 billion in overall investments by 2026 to provide the expertise and resources required to extend universal, meaningful connectivity and sustainable digital transformation to every corner of the globe.