Huawei Exceeds ITU P2C Commitment by Connecting 170 Million People Globally

Huawei's Significant Achievement in Global Connectivity

In a notable milestone for digital inclusion, Huawei Technologies has announced that it has connected 170 million people in remote regions across more than 80 countries. This achievement marks a significant surpassing of its commitment made to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Partner2Connect (P2C) Digital Coalition, aiming to connect 120 million people by 2025.

The announcement came from Yang Chaobin, CEO of the Huawei ICT Business Group, during the TECH Cares Forum held in Barcelona. This forum brought together around 80 guests from governments, industries, international organizations, and partners, highlighting the vital need for advancing digital inclusion in today's AI-driven era. Yang expressed gratitude to Huawei's telecommunications customers and partners whose collaboration made this accomplishment possible.

In his opening remarks, Yang emphasized that while rapid advancements in AI technology are underway, the digital divide continues to persist and may even widen if not addressed. He pointed out that high-speed digital networks and robust computing capabilities are fundamental pillars for an inclusive and sustainable era of AI. The fulfillment of the ITU P2C pledge reflects Huawei's ongoing commitment to innovation and enhancing access to essential services like healthcare, education, and financial services in underprivileged communities through digital connectivity.

Cosmas Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, commended Huawei’s achievements in bridging the digital divide. He mentioned that connecting rural and marginalized communities requires innovative business models, effective resource use in communication, community engagement, and sustained local capacity investment. Zavazava praised Huawei's dedication to meaningful and universal connectivity, fostering a strong partnership towards shared goals.

Echoing this sentiment, Jeff Wang, Huawei’s President of Public Affairs and Communications, stated that digital inclusion relies on two main pillars: inclusive connectivity and enhancement of digital skills. To address the digital skills gap, Huawei has teamed up with governments and organizations to support students, youth, seniors, and women through initiatives aimed at expanding digital access, offering digital skills training, and developing STEM educational programs.

Since its launch in 2019, Huawei’s Skills on Wheels program has provided mobile digital training to over 130,000 individuals in 21 countries, generating new opportunities for underprivileged communities. Marina Madale, Executive of Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Group, reinforced the idea that connectivity is a fundamental infrastructure for development, especially in Africa. In line with Jeff Wang’s observation, Madale pointed out MTN's priority on expanding rural connectivity while enhancing access to devices and fostering digital skills relevant for AI.

In terms of rural network innovation, Huawei has continuously updated its Rural Series Solutions since 2017 to improve accessibility and deployment efficiency. The recent introduction of Huawei RuralCow, in collaboration with MTN Nigeria, extends connectivity to villages with populations of around 1,500. These solutions have significantly contributed to Huawei’s goal of connecting 170 million people while bolstering local economies and enabling broader access to essential digital public services.

During the forum, participants shared their progress in collaboration with Huawei and expressed their enthusiasm for deepening partnerships. All attendees agreed that advancing digital inclusion in the AI era necessitates collaborative efforts from governments, operators, international organizations, and businesses.

Looking ahead, Huawei remains committed to driving innovation in rural network technologies, fostering open collaboration, and accelerating the enhancement of digital skills. Through targeted actions, the company aims to contribute to a more equitable and sustainable digital world.