IEEE's CTU Program Aims to Close the Digital Divide for 2 Billion Offline

Breaking News: More than 2 billion people – nearly 30% of the world's population – remain without internet access, according to a November 2024 report from the International Telecommunication Union. In response, the IEEE Future Networks' Connecting the Unconnected (CTU) initiative has been accelerating efforts to bridge this digital gap since 2021.

"IEEE Future Networks has created a community to bring all these initiatives working on digital connectivity together in a single platform," says IEEE Life Fellow Sudhir Dixit, CTU cochair and cofounder of the Basic Internet Foundation. "We leverage the IEEE brand to help raise the visibility of their work."

The CTU program holds an annual global competition seeking early-stage innovators developing technologies or applications for greater internet access. Last year saw 245 submissions from 52 countries, with participants including academics, nonprofits, startups, and students.

Background

Launched in 2021, CTU aims to accelerate the development, standardization, and deployment of 5G, 6G, and future-generation networks. The program expanded in 2024 by launching regional summits, community-focused events, and an enhanced mentorship program for contest winners. It also partners with the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA) to create guidelines for submitted innovations.

"More and more people are being connected every year, but the pace must increase," Dixit notes. The initiative focuses specifically on the 2.6 billion still offline, often in rural or underserved regions.

A Contest for New Connectivity Methods

The CTU challenge, started in 2021, receives 200–300 submissions annually. Projects compete in three categories: Technology Applications for new connectivity methods; Business Model for affordability improvements; and Community Enablement for adoption strategies.

Entrants choose between two tracks: proof-of-concept (early-stage but functional technology) or conceptual (theoretical phase not yet tested). Winning projects gain mentorship and visibility through IEEE's global platform.

What This Means

This initiative directly addresses a critical gap: nearly 30% of humanity lacks internet access, limiting education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. The CTU program's expansion – with regional summits and direct mentorship – suggests a shift towards sustainable, locally-driven solutions. As more innovators enter the contest, the pipeline of real-world connectivity tools grows, potentially accelerating deployment in hard-to-reach areas.

Dixit emphasizes: "IEEE Future Networks brings together all these initiatives on a single platform. That collaboration is essential for truly connecting the unconnected."