{"id":400,"date":"2025-02-13T04:10:53","date_gmt":"2025-02-13T04:10:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/160\/?page_id=400"},"modified":"2025-04-30T14:43:43","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T14:43:43","slug":"building-resilient-connectivity","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/160\/vision\/building-resilient-connectivity\/","title":{"rendered":"Building resilient connectivity"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n \"Background\n
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Building resilient connectivity

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\n From cables beneath the sea to satellites in the sky, protecting connectivity matters. Extending digital infrastructure to the \u201clast mile\u201d and ensuring early warnings for natural hazards is key to building safer, more prosperous societies. <\/h3>\n

\n Bridging the digital divide requires more than connections. It demands resilient, inclusive, and future-ready digital infrastructure that withstands disruptions.\u00a0

From the first telecommunication networks to the rollout of 5G, ITU has been at the forefront of technical frameworks that enable seamless global connectivity \u2013 on the ground, by sea and in the sky.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Protecting submarine cables<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\n Out of sight, but not out of mind: submarine telecommunication<\/strong><\/strong> cables underpin our everyday lives.<\/strong> ITU has facilitated standards for this critical undersea infrastructure since the 1860s, soon after the first cables were laid beneath the sea.\u00a0

Today, submarine cables carry over 99% of the world\u2019s international data traffic, enabling financial transactions, cloud computing, government communications and other critical services.\u00a0\u00a0

The world\u2019s 500+ active and planned cable systems are vital, yet vulnerable. Risks range from fishing and anchoring to underwater earthquakes, tsunamis, and shifting seafloors. Over 200 cable repairs occurred in 2023, averaging more than three failures per week worldwide.\u00a0 <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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\n ITU works closely with the International Cable Protection Committee to promote global cooperation and\u00a0boost submarine cable resilience.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>

In November 2024<\/a>, a 40-member International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience was established to explore ways to strengthen this backbone of modern economic stability. The advisory body<\/a> addresses cable maintenance issues, damage prevention, recovery times after disruptions, and sustainable practices for ongoing cable development.\u00a0 <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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Extending digital infrastructure<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\n Physical digital infrastructure is a cornerstone of resilient economies \u2013 allowing people, businesses, and governments to connect and thrive. It\u2019s a lever for progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals, for which 70% of the targets include a digital component. \u00a0\u00a0

\u201cLast mile\u201d digital infrastructure is especially important. <\/strong>Reaching remote and rural communities often remains complex. According to ITU’s\u00a0Facts and Figures 2024<\/a><\/em>, only 27% of people<\/a> are online in low-income countries, compared to 93% in high-income countries. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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\n Five barriers to digital infrastructure financing <\/h3>\n

\n Closing connectivity gaps requires targeted financing, clear digital policies, and risk mitigation strategies to drive sustainable investment in digital infrastructure. The Digital Infrastructure Investment Initiative (DIII) Working Group has identified five recurring challenges that hinder digital infrastructure investing<\/strong> in many countries: <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\tDemand fragmentation<\/strong><\/strong>, typically observed in less densely populated areas, often increasing the perception that universal connectivity projects are not economically viable\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n \t
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\n\t\t\t\tCore infrastructure gaps,<\/strong>\u00a0including insufficient backbone and the lack of data centres\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n \t
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\n\t\t\t\tLack of a national digital agenda and strategy<\/strong>, and lack of clarity on the linkage to key social development plans such as education and healthcare\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n \t
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\n\t\t\t\tProject execution risks<\/strong>, which can be substantial for projects requiring highly specialized technical capabilities\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n \t
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\n\t\t\t\tCountry risk<\/strong>, a major roadblock for investment in developing markets\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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\n Download the related white paper: Digital Infrastructure Investment Initiative: Closing the digital infrastructure investment gap by 2030<\/a> <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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Countries around the world pledged, as part of the Pact for the Future in September 2024, to develop resilient digital infrastructure \u2013 both the physical components like cables, towers, and satellites, as well as the host of platforms and systems enabling digital public services for citizens.  The Global Digital Compact, attached as an annex, calls for innovative and blended financing to connect the world\u2019s unconnected to the Internet.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Governments, businesses, development finance institutions, and investment funds all have a role to play, and new investment sources must be tapped.  

ITU\u2019s Digital Infrastructure Investment Initiative<\/strong> \u2013 launched during Brazil’s G20 presidency in 2024 and now supported by seven leading development finance institutions and South Africa\u2019s G20 presidency in 2025\u2013 is galvanizing public and private sources to bridge an estimated US$ 1.6 trillion investment gap, aiming to bring resilient digital connectivity to everyone.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cWe must commit to delivering digital infrastructure that transforms lives, strengthens communities, and connects the 2.6 billion still offline.<\/strong> The Digital Infrastructure Investment Initiative is a vital step toward universal meaningful connectivity by 2030.\u201d
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Doreen Bogdan-Martin, ITU Secretary General<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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