A staggering $2.6 trillion to $2.8 trillion is required to bring meaningful Internet connectivity to the estimated 2.6 billion people worldwide who remain offline, by 2030, according to a new report from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST).
The “Connecting Humanity Action Blueprint’ lays bare the monumental challenge of closing the global digital divide, highlighting the urgent need for unprecedented investment and international cooperation.
The report reveals that 93 percent of people in high-income countries are online, compared to just 27 percent in low-income nations, underscoring a deep socio-economic disparity. The largest portion of the projected cost of $1.5 trillion to $1.7 trillion, will go toward building digital infrastructure, such as fiber networks, 4G wireless in rural areas, and satellite systems for remote regions.
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An additional $983 billion is needed to make smartphones and broadband services affordable, particularly in lower-income areas, while $152 billion will fund digital literacy programs to ensure people can effectively use the Internet.
Doreen Bogdan-Martin, ITU secretary-general, said, “Digital connectivity means creating opportunities for education, jobs, and access to essential services that can transform lives and communities. While significant resources are needed to meaningfully connect everyone, these are investments that will contribute to a prosperous digital future for all.”
The report also identifies a critical $600 million needed to modernize policies and regulations, which could unlock efficiencies and drive innovation. Without these reforms, progress risks stalling, particularly in the 46 least-developed countries where financing, technical expertise, and unreliable infrastructure pose significant barriers.
H.E. Eng. Haytham AlOhali, acting governor of CST, noted that the cost estimate is nearly five times higher than the ITU’s 2020 assessment, stating, “The world needs between $2.6 trillion and $2.8 trillion to connect humanity by 2030. This figure is nearly five times higher than the last assessment conducted in 2020 in partnership with ITU during the Saudi chairmanship of the G20. Such a dramatic increase underscores the urgency for international cooperation, collective investment, and the sharing of expertise if we are to achieve the vision of universal, meaningful connectivity for all.”
To address these challenges, ITU calls for innovative business approaches and renewed collaboration between governments, the tech industry, development finance institutions, and civil society, to close current divides and prevent future ones, particularly in fields like artificial intelligence (AI).
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The report concludes with recommendations to accelerate digital inclusion worldwide, including using schools as gateways to Internet access, investing in energy infrastructure in Africa, and enhancing data collection at the sub-national level.
