There are 2.9 billion unconnected people across the globe, an issue that was significantly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to UNESCO, in 10 countries across Africa, Asia, and South America, women are 30-50% less likely than men to make use of the internet. Globally, women are 23% less likely than men to use mobile internet.
2024
IEEE Connecting
the Unconnected
Summit
October 2024, Dubai, UAE
Imagine your life
without the internet
Internet access is critical to education, industry, and healthy living. Unconnected populations lack access to buy and sell goods and services online. Students lack access to the abundance of remote learning opportunities. During the pandemic, working or studying from home was impossible for unconnected populations. For many, the lack of internet access forced them to make a choice between their well-being or earning a living. Many offline students often received no education at all. An increasingly connected global economy leaves many disconnected people with few options.
2024
IEEE Connecting
the Unconnected
Challenge
An annual, global competition to bridge the digital divide. Submission portal open:
April 12 – June 5
Help us find innovative solutions to connect the unconnected.
The IEEE Future Networks Technical Community provides the primary funding for the CTU Challenge and Summit, but support from industry is critical to making the competition a sustainable annual event. Contact us to add your company’s name to those already committed to helping increase access and raise awareness of this humanitarian social issue.
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Be a part of the conversation with like-minded companies supporting the competition and paving the way for increased broadband access!
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