ITU’s Partner2Connect Digital Coalition reaches $73bln
In connectivity pledges
ITU, the UN agency for digital technologies, has revealed new industry commitments to its Partner2Connect (P2C) Digital Coalition, now reaching $73 billion in pledges for universal, meaningful connectivity.
This week, the latest commitments, presented during Mobile World Congress 2025 (MWC25) in Barcelona, Spain, demonstrate a growing momentum from leading mobile and satellite industry players rallying to bridge the digital divide.
Partner2Connect, the ITU’s flagship initiative, aims to mobilise resources and foster global cooperation to enhance digital connectivity worldwide. This push comes when the digital divide remains a major challenge, with billions of people still lacking reliable access to the internet.
“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 new commitments bring the total value of the pledges under Partner2Connect to an impressive $73 billion. These pledges come from industry players, including prominent mobile network operators, satellite companies, and other tech companies. They underline the collective global resolve to close the digital gap, ensuring that internet access is a universal reality.
Among the most significant new pledges is the commitment from MTN Group, Africa’s leading mobile telecommunications company. MTN Group has pledged to continue investing in Africa’s future by committing approximately $2 billion annually in capital expenditure across its markets.
This commitment, which the company has upheld for the past five years, is expected to continue for the next five years, focusing on expanding and strengthening voice and data networks. The company views this investment as critical for supporting Africa’s growth and prosperity, driving digital inclusion, and fostering economic growth.
Another notable pledge comes from Globalstar, a satellite communications company committed to investing $2 billion to expand its Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network. Globalstar delivers seamless, low-latency, and energy-efficient connectivity for Direct-to-Device (D2D) and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. This investment will enhance connectivity in remote and underserved regions, enabling reliable and affordable communication where needed most.
As the ITU celebrates its 160th anniversary in 2025, the importance of digital inclusion and infrastructure has never been more apparent. According to the ITU’s Facts & Figures report, around 2.6 billion people worldwide remain offline, highlighting the urgent need to accelerate efforts towards universal connectivity. These latest pledges represent a step forward in bridging that gap.
The ITU has set an ambitious target to raise $100 billion in commitments for the Partner2Connect initiative by 2026. The initiative aims to drive digital transformation projects across all countries, focusing on connecting the hardest-to-reach communities. The need for resilient digital infrastructure is also a key focus, as the ITU estimates that $1.6 trillion in hardware costs alone is required to connect the world fully. Most of this investment is needed in developing countries, where digital infrastructure is often lacking.
Over 1,000 pledges have been made to the Partner2Connect platform from various stakeholders, including governments, industry players, and other partners. These pledges now cover 147 countries, marking a significant global effort to overcome the digital divide. The new commitments will enhance digital infrastructure, accelerate digital transformation, and ensure connectivity reaches the most underserved areas.
The ongoing growth of the Partner2Connect coalition underscores the collective will of the global community to harness the power of digital technologies and ensure that everyone is kept ahead in the digital age.
As more organisations make significant contributions, the path to universal, meaningful connectivity is becoming more apparent, offering hope to billions of people who are still disconnected.
Image: As the ITU celebrates its 160th anniversary in 2025, the importance of digital inclusion and infrastructure has never been more apparent. Credit: Antonius Ferret
