At the ITU’s SDG Digital event during the UN General Assembly in New York, Shameel Joosub, CEO of Vodacom Group, delivered a compelling call to action that emphasized the urgency of closing the digital divide. His message was clear: while we’ve made strides, incremental progress is no longer sufficient. Bold, transformative action is necessary to ensure universal access to digital services.
Joosub pointed out that—today, in low-income countries, only 35% of the population has access to 4G. Despite ongoing investment in network expansion by companies like Vodafone, traditional methods alone are not enough to address the scale of this challenge. To truly make digital services available to everyone, we need new and bold ideas.
One such approach lies in the convergence of satellite and mobile industries. Joosub shared two examples of how this can work to exemplify the potential of satellite technology to break through barriers. When a Ukrainian town was devastated by Russian attacks, Vodacom Ukraine used satellite networks to quickly restore mobile communication. Similarly, after Hurricane Beryl hit the Caribbean, low-orbit satellites helped restore connectivity on Union Island, showing the critical role this technology can play in times of crisis.
But Joosub asked an even more important question: Can we harness this technology beyond war zones and natural disasters to finally close the digital divide for good? After all, 2.6 billion people remain disconnected from basic services and excluded from the digital economy.
Vodacom’s partnership with AST SpaceMobile is already working on a solution. Together, they are developing direct-to-mobile satellite technology that doesn’t require any dishes or special equipment. This could close coverage gaps in low- and middle-income countries. With five satellites already launched and in orbit, there’s real hope that millions of people could soon be connected using just their regular 4G phones.
For Joosub, connectivity is more than just being able to use the internet—it’s about empowerment. It means access to education, health care, and economic opportunities. However, progress isn’t happening fast enough. So, what needs to be done?
He shared three key ideas:
- Investment: Achieving universal digital access will require an estimated $428 billion. It’s a significant figure, but without large-scale investment strategies, we won’t reach everyone.
- Affordability: There’s no point in expanding satellite coverage if people can’t afford the devices to use it. We must lower the cost of smartphones to under $20 in the world’s least developed countries. This means eliminating duties and surcharges, promoting low-cost 4G devices, and supporting local production.
- Innovation for everyone: Any innovation we pursue must benefit everyone and do no harm. This means respecting the frameworks that keep people safe online while ensuring equitable access to the opportunities that digital connectivity brings.
Joosub’s message was clear: the digital divide can be closed, but only if we are brave, innovative, and act with urgency. The world doesn’t need more incremental change—it needs bold action. As we look to the future, the question is not whether we have the technology to connect the unconnected, but whether we have the will to use it.
