Foundation Projects

FCA: Connecting the Unconnected (CTU) Challenge 2024

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

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.

This digital divide is particularly impactful on women. 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. 

In 2020 the IEEE Future Networks Technical Community (FNTC) received funding to support research and an annual competition to help address this dire issue. On the research side, the IEEE created a working group within the International Network Generations Roadmap (INGR) project, which takes a 10-year view of network evolution. On the competition side, we created the Connecting the Unconnected Challenge, looking for innovative providers to enhance access and connectivity in less developed countries, or in rural areas of developed nations. Solutions that include services and applications that can better meet social needs such as agriculture, livelihoods, health and education are ideal.    

Each IEEE Connecting the Unconnected (CTU) Challenge will culminate in an IEEE Future Networks event, the IEEE Connecting the Unconnected Summit. During the Summit, experts and thought leaders will convene to discuss the issue of internet connectivity. Regulators, standards-setting bodies, non-profits, international companies, and other experts will also be there to share current thinking on critical topics of innovation and connectivity. 

This funding supported the 2024 event, on 14 October 2024, with platinum sponsorship.

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