The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has successfully garnered commitments totaling $9 billion from mobile operators to amplify global connectivity. The announcement was made by ITU Secretary-General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) on Monday. These commitments signify a significant stride towards the ITU’s mission to connect the world, with the mobile industry demonstrating robust support for this endeavor.
In tandem with the new commitments, the UN Digital Agency revealed a noteworthy milestone – surpassing 1,000 industry, academia, and organizational members, in addition to its 193 Member States. This achievement marks the largest and most diverse membership in the history of the agency.
The fresh industry commitments have propelled the total current value of planned investments in infrastructure, services, and support to ITU’s Partner2Connect Digital Coalition, initiated in March 2022, to an impressive USD 46 billion.
ITU Secretary-General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, expressed optimism about achieving universal meaningful connectivity, stating, “Thanks to these new commitments, millions of people will benefit from accessible and affordable connectivity across the world.” This collective effort aims to bridge the digital divide and ensure that connectivity becomes a reality for individuals globally.
John Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer at GSMA, commended the ITU Secretary-General’s emphasis on infrastructure investment for the digital economy. He highlighted the continuous investments by mobile operators in network deployment and upgrades, stressing the positive impact on citizens worldwide. Giusti applauded specific investment pledges by e&, China Telecom, Ooredoo, and VEON, recognizing the collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors.
The commitments announced at the Mobile World Congress include:
- e&: USD 6 billion between 2024 and 2026 for accessible and affordable network connectivity and digital services across countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
- China Telecom: Over USD 1.4 billion to roll out fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), providing high-quality information and communication services to over 80 million people in remote administrative villages across China.
- Ooredoo: USD 1.1 billion for connectivity in developing markets ranging from North Africa to the Indian Ocean.
- VEON: USD 600 million for building the infrastructure of Ukraine, providing connectivity and digital services essential to the reconstruction of the country.
While acknowledging the progress, it is crucial to note that 2.6 billion people remain offline globally, according to ITU data. Telecommunications infrastructure serves as the linchpin for connectivity and digital transformation, playing a vital role in overcoming development obstacles.
The ITU’s call for USD 100 billion in overall investments by 2026 underscores the commitment required to achieve universal, meaningful connectivity and sustainable digital transformation worldwide. Beyond infrastructure, Partner2Connect commitments can address critical needs such as building digital skills and enhancing digital inclusion, with the new commitments expected to be implemented over the next 2-5 years.
