Achieving universal, meaningful internet access by 2030 could cost $2.6–$2.8 trillion, according to the Connecting Humanity Action Blueprint, released by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in collaboration with the Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) of Saudi Arabia.

The report highlights that 2.6 billion people remain offline, with internet usage at 93% in high-income countries compared to just 27% in low-income countries. The largest portion of the required investment — $1.5–$1.7 trillion — is needed for digital infrastructure, including broadband networks, 4G wireless, and satellite services for the most remote areas.

Other critical investment areas include:

• Affordability: $983 billion to reduce costs of devices and broadband services, enabling households worldwide to connect.
• Digital skills: $152 billion to fund large-scale digital literacy programs, ensuring people can effectively use the internet for education, employment, and civic participation.
• Policy and regulation: $600 million to modernize regulations, create predictable environments, and unlock innovation globally.

“Digital connectivity creates opportunities for education, jobs, and essential services that can transform lives,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin.

The report stresses that international collaboration, innovative business models, and public-private partnerships are essential to close digital divides, especially in the world’s 46 least-developed countries, which face financing, infrastructure, and technical barriers.

Recommendations to accelerate global digital inclusion include leveraging schools as access points, investing in energy infrastructure in Africa, and improving sub-national data collection to better target connectivity initiatives.

H.E. Eng. Haytham AlOhali, Acting Governor of CST, emphasized: “The dramatic increase in estimated costs underscores the urgency for collective investment and expertise-sharing to achieve universal connectivity.”

The blueprint builds on ITU’s 2020 Connecting Humanity study, reflecting the growing scale and urgency of global efforts to ensure meaningful internet access for all.