The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has announced that its Partner2Connect (P2C) Digital Coalition has reached $73 billion in pledges aimed at advancing universal and meaningful connectivity. The milestone, unveiled during Mobile World Congress 2025 (MWC 25) in Barcelona, underscores growing commitments from key mobile and satellite industry players working to bridge the digital divide.
Partner2Connect is ITU’s flagship initiative to mobilize resources and commitments to strengthen global digital infrastructure and expand Internet access worldwide. The coalition plays a central role in advancing efforts to connect unserved and underserved communities, reinforcing digital inclusion. “These new pledges bring us even closer to our goal of delivering sustainable digital transformation to everyone, everywhere,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin.
“In space, on land, and under the sea, expansive digital infrastructure highlights how much humanity values and depends on meaningful connectivity.” Among the latest commitments, MTN Group has pledged to continue investing approximately $2 billion per year in capital expenditure over the next five years, reinforcing its support for Africa’s digital growth and economic development. Meanwhile, Globalstar is investing $2 billion to expand its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network, enhancing low-latency, energy-efficient connectivity for direct-to-device (D2D) and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, particularly in remote regions.
The announcement coincides with ITU’s 160th anniversary in 2025, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to fast-tracking digital transformation and expanding Internet access for the 2.6 billion people who remain offline worldwide. The organization has set a target of $100 billion in pledges to Partner2Connect by 2026, with a focus on supporting the hardest-to-reach communities. ITU estimates that $1.6 trillion in hardware investment alone is required to achieve global connectivity, with the majority of resources needed in developing nations.
The new pledges will contribute to expanding digital infrastructure, improving connectivity in underserved areas, and accelerating digital innovation. Since its launch, the Partner2Connect Digital Coalition has received more than 1,000 pledges from governments, industry stakeholders, and other partners, covering 147 countries. These commitments mark a significant step toward bridging the digital divide and ensuring inclusive digital transformation on a global scale. – By MENA Newswire News Desk.