ITU Conference Opens in Doha Amid Connectivity Gap
The International Telecommunication Union's 2026 Plenipotentiary Conference convenes in Doha to address global internet access.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Telecommunications
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Should governments prioritize expanding internet access to everyone still offline?
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin addressed the 2026 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha. The number of people connected to the internet has risen from just over 5 billion in 2022 to approximately 6.3 billion, though over two billion remain offline.
Why it matters
The ITU coordinates the global use of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits and sets international technology standards, so its decisions shape connectivity worldwide. The conference's agenda centers on the more than two billion people still without internet coverage.
The ITU reports the connected population rose from just over 5 billion in 2022 to approximately 6.3 billion, while more than 2 billion people remain without internet coverage. The source does not detail the specific measures the conference will adopt to reach them.
The players
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
A United Nations specialized agency founded in 1865 that coordinates global telecommunications, radio-frequency spectrum, satellite orbits, and international technology standards.
Doreen Bogdan-Martin
The Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union who addressed the 2026 Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha.
The details
The 2026 Plenipotentiary Conference, the ITU's highest-level governing meeting, is being held in Doha, with its first plenary session on November 9, 2026. The ITU plans to strengthen its regional presence through regional offices and to modernize its systems to operate faster and more transparently while leveraging artificial intelligence.
Timeline
1865: The ITU was established.
2022: Internet-connected population was just over 5 billion.
November 9, 2026: First plenary session of PP-2026 opens in Doha.
The Tech Race
The 2026 Plenipotentiary Conference continues the ITU's mandate, set at its 1865 founding, to coordinate global communications, now focused on universal connectivity. Its agenda extends the strategic plans for universal connectivity and sustainable digital transformation the union has pursued.
More than two billion people still lack internet coverage, which limits access to communication, information, and digital services. Decisions on spectrum allocation and technology standards made at the conference influence the cost and reach of connectivity for everyday users.
The takeaway
Connectivity is still out of reach for more than two billion people, making the ITU's standards and spectrum decisions a direct factor in who gets online. Watching how the conference translates its strategic plans into concrete measures will show whether the gap begins to narrow.
What happens next
The conference's first plenary session opens in Doha on November 9, 2026.
Further reading
For broader context on the infrastructure behind these efforts, explore Telecommunications coverage.
Live Poll
Should governments prioritize expanding internet access to everyone still offline?
