The United Nations agency International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has partnered with Vodafone to launch a major initiative aimed at connecting 3.4 billion people to the internet.
Access to the internet is increasingly essential for participation in modern life. While faster connections multiply opportunities, even basic connectivity can unlock education, jobs, financial services and access to public information.
The ITU’s research last year found that of the 3.7 billion people who remain offline, about 3.4 billion live within reach of a mobile network. A key barrier preventing them from going online is the lack of affordable smartphones.
To address this, a new working group has been established under the ITU/UNESCO Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development. Its purpose is to identify effective policy measures, commercial models and circular-economy solutions that expand smartphone access.
The working group is co-chaired by Vodafone Group CEO Nick Read and ITU Secretary‑General Houlin Zhao.
“Vodafone is honoured to be part of this global initiative with the UN to improve the lives of billions by increasing smartphone access,” said Nick Read. “As societies become more digital, people need the means to find jobs, access public and financial services, and obtain critical information that is increasingly only available online.”
Read added that the challenge is complex and requires collaboration: no single network operator, device maker, financial services firm or national government can solve it alone, but coordinated action can overcome the barriers.
Although 4G networks now cover about 82 percent of the population in low‑ and middle‑income countries (LMICs), the gap in mobile internet usage remains far larger than the coverage gap—highlighting that coverage alone does not guarantee use.
“Achieving the Broadband Commission Global Targets requires a multi‑stakeholder approach,” said Houlin Zhao, who noted that the working group will also help tackle pandemic-related challenges and focus on delivering smart devices to those still left behind.
The working group will pursue three core objectives:
- Produce original analysis and up‑to‑date data on the smartphone access gap;
- Quantify the social and economic benefits of delivering universal smartphone access by 2030, including upgrading users from 2G feature phones to 4G smartphones;
- Evaluate initiatives and pilot programmes designed to increase smartphone ownership and usage.
Launch partners of the working group include the Alliance for Affordable Internet, GSMA, the government of Ghana, Safaricom, Smart Africa, Vodacom Group, and the World Wide Web Foundation.
Coinciding with the group’s formation, Vodafone published a report titled Africa.Connected that outlines a multi‑stakeholder approach with four key actions to increase digital inclusion in the region with the largest mobile usage gap:
- Make 4G devices more affordable and accessible – Nearly 2.5 billion people live in countries where the cheapest available smartphone is out of reach. Suggested actions include expanding device financing for people with limited or no credit history, lowering taxes on 4G smartphone imports, and scaling local device manufacturing in Africa.
- Invest in demand for 4G services – With an estimated 375 million young Africans joining the labour market by 2030, boosting digital skills and supporting startups will help create demand. Device manufacturers can contribute by designing more inclusive, affordable products.
- Provide targeted financing for underserved groups – Programmes should address large gender and rural‑urban gaps in device ownership across sub‑Saharan Africa, tailoring support to those most excluded.
- Re‑farm 2G spectrum – Repurposing spectrum currently dedicated to 2G could accelerate the shift to 4G and expand access to more capable devices.
Ursula Owusu‑Ekuful, Ghana’s Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, noted that despite progress in mobile infrastructure and digital services such as mobile money, many remain disconnected. “About 45 percent of people in West Africa are covered by mobile broadband networks but do not use the internet,” she said, calling the mobile internet usage gap a critical issue for long‑term economic development that will require new partnerships and focused action from many organisations.
(Photo by NASA on Unsplash)
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