Global Connectivity Gaps: Challenges and the Roadmap to 2029

As global internet penetration approaches a saturation point, the latest findings from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) underline the challenges of advancing global connectivity. According to the ITU’s Global Connectivity Report 2025, while 74 percent of the global population is now online, the growth curve is flattening. The challenge has shifted from simply expanding coverage to ensuring robust infrastructure for business and industrial needs, as everyday requirements for cloud-based operations and real-time digitization outpace what basic connectivity can offer.

The Shift to Universal and Meaningful Connectivity

The ITU has introduced a new metric, “Universal and Meaningful Connectivity” (UMC), which prioritizes reliable, high-quality connections over baseline internet access. This distinction is critical for industries that require seamless connectivity for real-time applications, such as logistics and manufacturing. Although mobile coverage appears widespread, critical infrastructure such as fiber-optic networks remains scarce. As of 2023, only 32 percent of the global population lives within 10 kilometers of a fiber-optic node, emphasizing how much work remains to bridge this infrastructural gap.

The rollout of advanced mobile networks like 5G further exposes inequality in connectivity. While coverage is robust in regions such as Europe and parts of Asia-Pacific, areas like Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia see limited penetration, creating a fragmented digital landscape. These disparities pose significant barriers to global enterprises relying on IoT deployments and edge computing solutions, as data transmission remains unreliable in underdeveloped regions.

Infrastructure Challenges Extend Beyond Land

Undersea cable networks, which carry over 99 percent of international data, also face significant vulnerabilities. These vital links are regularly disrupted, primarily by fishing trawlers or ships dragging anchors, with repairs often taking weeks or months due to complex permitting laws. Efforts to address these issues, such as the International Advisory Body on Submarine Cable Resilience, aim to enhance network redundancy and streamline repair processes. However, enterprises must plan for potential disruptions by diversifying connectivity sources and investing in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite services to mitigate terrestrial failures. While LEO subscriptions are growing—adding 1.1 million in 2024—current adoption levels remain modest and insufficient to replace terrestrial fiber.

Economic and Regulatory Barriers

Addressing affordability and technical skills shortages is essential to closing connectivity divides. While entry-level mobile broadband costs have halved in purchasing power terms since 2013, prices remain prohibitive for low-income populations. In these economies, mobile plans can consume up to 20 percent of a household’s income, limiting access to digital services. To bridge this gap, partnerships and initiatives, such as Senegal’s regulatory authority training female entrepreneurs or Australia targeting rural communities, are critical steps for global development.

Regulatory environments also play a pivotal role in shaping a region’s connectivity landscape. Countries with converged licensing frameworks and mandated infrastructure sharing see significantly higher 5G coverage rates. These regulations enable the private sector to participate in network expansion, reducing costs and accelerating deployment. The Baku Action Plan, agreed upon at the World Telecommunication Development Conference, emphasizes the need for such collaborative frameworks to achieve connectivity goals by 2029.

A Call to Action for Enterprises

For enterprises globally, the current state of connectivity demands a more strategic focus. Treating connectivity as an operational risk rather than a mere utility is essential. Businesses must advocate for policies supporting infrastructure sharing, streamlined spectrum regulations, and investments in robust networks to sustain future workloads. As the ITU’s findings illustrate, building sustainable and meaningful global connectivity requires public-private partnerships and innovative solutions to tackle persistent divides.

While significant progress has been made in bringing the world online, the journey to achieving universal and meaningful connectivity is far from over. Governments, enterprises, and international bodies must collaborate to build resilient infrastructure that supports global economic growth, technological advancement, and digital inclusion.