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The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has announced that its Partner2Connect (P2C) Digital Coalition has now reached a total of $73 billion in commitments, as new pledges from industry leaders drive efforts to achieve universal, meaningful connectivity.
The latest commitments, unveiled during Mobile World Congress 2025 (MWC25), underscore growing momentum from mobile and satellite industry players dedicated to closing the digital divide.
Partner2Connect, an ITU-led initiative, mobilizes resources to reinforce global connectivity efforts, enhance digital infrastructure, and work toward ensuring that everyone has access to the Internet.
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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,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “These new pledges bring us even closer to our goal of delivering sustainable digital transformation to everyone, everywhere.”
The latest pledges come from major industry players, including:
- MTN Group: The company has been investing approximately $2 billion annually in capital expenditures across its markets over the past five years and plans to maintain similar investments over the next five years. These investments will focus on strengthening voice and data networks, improving coverage, and boosting digital inclusion and economic growth across Africa.
- Globalstar: The satellite communications company is investing $2 billion to expand its low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network. This expansion will support direct-to-device (D2D) and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, ensuring seamless, low-latency, and energy-efficient connectivity, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
The announcement comes as ITU celebrates its 160th anniversary in 2025, reaffirming its commitment to advancing digital connectivity and sustainable development. Currently, an estimated 2.6 billion people worldwide remain offline, according to ITU’s latest “Facts & Figures” report.
ITU has set a target of securing $100 billion in commitments to Partner2Connect by 2026 to fund digital transformation projects, with a special focus on the hardest-to-connect communities. The organization estimates that $1.6 trillion is needed in hardware investments alone to connect the world, with most of these resources required in developing nations.
To date, over 1,000 pledges have been made through the Partner2Connect platform, covering 147 countries. These commitments aim to enhance digital infrastructure, expand connectivity in underserved regions, and accelerate digital transformation through cutting-edge technologies.
About ITU
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations agency for digital technologies, working with 194 member states and over 1,000 industry stakeholders to drive innovation and global connectivity. Established in 1865, ITU coordinates the global use of the radio spectrum, sets international technology standards, and promotes sustainable digital transformation.
For more information, visit: www.itu.int
