ITU Calls for $1.6 Trillion to Achieve Global Connectivity, Secures $73 Billion in Pledges
ITU Calls for $1.6 Trillion to Achieve Global Connectivity, Secures $73 Billion in Pledges
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU), a United Nations agency for digital technologies, has estimated that $1.6 trillion is needed in hardware costs alone to achieve global connectivity, with most of the funding required in developing countries.
This estimate was revealed as ITU announced that its Partner2Connect (P2C) Digital Coalition has secured $73 billion in pledges toward universal and meaningful connectivity. The latest commitments, unveiled at the Mobile World Congress 2025 (MWC25) in Barcelona, Spain, highlight growing support from leading mobile and satellite industry players working to close the digital divide.
Partner2Connect is ITU’s initiative aimed at mobilizing financial and technical resources to enhance global connectivity, strengthen digital infrastructure and ensure broader internet access.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin underscored the importance of resilient digital infrastructure in today’s world.
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“In space, on land, and under the sea, expansive digital infrastructure highlights how much humanity values and depends on meaningful connectivity.
These new pledges bring us even closer to our goal of delivering sustainable digital transformation to everyone, everywhere.”
Among the latest contributors, MTN Group has committed to maintaining its $2 billion annual investment in Africa’s digital infrastructure over the next five years. The telecom giant aims to expand and strengthen voice and data networks, ensuring broader connectivity and fostering economic growth.
Similarly, Globalstar has pledged $2 billion toward expanding its Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network, which will enhance seamless, low-latency, and energy-efficient connectivity for direct-to-device (D2D) and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. This investment aims to improve communication in remote and underserved regions.
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The new pledges come as ITU marks its 160th anniversary in 2025, reinforcing its commitment to bridging the digital divide. Despite significant progress, 2.6 billion people worldwide remain offline, according to ITU’s latest Facts & Figures report.
To accelerate digital transformation, ITU has set a goal of securing $100 billion in commitments by 2026. The funds will be directed toward expanding digital infrastructure, strengthening connectivity in underserved areas and fostering technological innovations.
With over 1,000 pledges from governments, industries and stakeholders spanning 147 countries, the Partner2Connect initiative continues to push forward in its mission to achieve a fully connected world.
