Broadband in 2025: Connecting the unconnected and transforming lives

High-speed, always-on Internet access powers everything from video streaming and remote work to online learning and digital healthcare, with broadband telecommunication networks connecting people, communities, and economies to the wider digital world.

The Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development – established by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2010 – has put universal broadband access at the forefront of global policy. The high-level body has regularly united leaders from government, industry, and civil society to drive advocacy and produce influential research and policy recommendations aimed at connecting everyone affordably.

Now, the Commission has augmented its annual State of Broadband report series with a four-part set exploring different aspects of the broadband landscape in 2025.

The set offers deeper dives into specific issues, such as progress on broadband targets in developing countries; challenges and opportunities with broadband in Africa; emerging satellite and non-terrestrial technologies; and how artificial intelligence (AI), data governance, and digital infrastructure are transforming societies worldwide.

Progress on broadband targets

The first report presents a global snapshot of broadband access, affordability and use, along with the latest annual update on the Broadband Commission’s global Advocacy Targets.

Written collectively, it pulls together insights from high-level Commissioners, including leaders from government, civil society and academia, industry CEOs, and heads of UN organizations. Despite progress on some targets (notably affordability and the gender digital divide), other targets still need concerted efforts.

In remote parts of every continent, satellite and non-terrestrial networks are connecting previously underserved communities, while targeted national broadband plans and digital skills initiatives have demonstrated scalable models for inclusive transformation and bridging digital divides. Read State of Broadband Advocacy Targets (June 2025).

Satellite broadband

The  second report for 2025 highlights the rapid expansion of satellite-based broadband services, the rise of non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), and the growing number of countries engaging in space activities. Space-based communications increasingly work in combination with mobile technologies to connect remote, rural, and underserved areas.

From direct-to-cell services to quantum sensing, new solutions are helping to expand access, drive innovation, and support sustainable development. This growth brings opportunities, but also risks, the report notes. The report offers practical examples of progress and solutions in various countries, including Australia, Brazil, China, India, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and South Sudan.

As the space economy keeps growing, regulatory and policy frameworks must evolve to keep pace and ensure equitable access to space for all. Read State of Satellite Broadband (August 2025).

Broadband in Africa

This year’s third study examines the particular challenges and opportunities of a continent whose vast and varied geography makes the roll-out of terrestrial communication infrastructure to remote areas especially challenging.

African countries are generally experiencing strong digital growth, albeit with lower income levels and slower adoption rates than most other world regions. The report highlights the region’s rapid mobile broadband growth, the expansion of submarine cables and Internet exchange points (IXPs), and the emergence of direct satellite connectivity to mobile handsets.

Africa is home to nearly one-quarter of people under 35 years of age worldwide. This comparatively young demographic brings energy, hope, and aspirations that other continents struggle to match.

Investments in digital technologies mean opportunities for technological leapfrogging in areas such as AI, agriculture, and creative industries. Read The State of Broadband in Africa (September 2025).

Today’s digital world

The fourth study presents an overview of expanding digital services and the ways in which today’s world is digitizing.

Historically, governments have sought to extend good-quality infrastructure to unconnected communities. However, bridging the digital divide also requires addressing affordability issues and skills gaps.

Fast-changing AI is transforming societies and raising new ethical questions and concerns. Data is everywhere in modern societies and economies, generated by all of us as we go about our daily lives.

Thus, new and important issues are continually arising, with implications for how governments approach data and its use, storage and transmission. This report explores some of the issues arising from AI use in healthcare, education, agriculture and transport. Explore Our Digital World (December 2025).

Collectively, these latest reports reflect the complexity of today’s global broadband and digital ecosystem 15 years after the Broadband Commission’s formation.

See the 4-part State of Broadband 2025.

Learn more about the ITU/UNESCO Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development.