Despite the internet’s central role in modern life—from online shopping and bill payments to virtual meetings—nearly 30% of the global population remains offline. According to a November report by the International Telecommunication Union, over 2.6 billion people still lack access. To tackle this gap, IEEE Future Networks launched the Connecting the Unconnected (CTU) program in 2021. CTU accelerates the development, standardization, and deployment of 5G, 6G, and future network generations through competitions, summits, and mentorship. Below, we explore the program’s structure, goals, and impact.
What is the Connecting the Unconnected (CTU) program?
CTU is an initiative by IEEE Future Networks, a technical community focused on advancing next-generation connectivity. Launched in 2021, its mission is to connect the billions still offline by fostering innovation in broadband access. The program accelerates development and standardization of 5G, 6G, and beyond. It organizes annual global competitions that seek early-stage technologies or applications for greater internet access. Additionally, CTU hosts a yearly summit where experts, community leaders, and stakeholders discuss strategies for digital inclusion. As cochair Sudhir Dixit explains, “IEEE Future Networks has created a community to bring all digital connectivity initiatives together on a single platform and leverage the IEEE brand to raise their visibility.”
How does CTU help connect people who are offline?
CTU employs a multi-pronged approach: an annual worldwide competition, regional summits, community-focused events, and an expanded mentorship program. The competition invites innovators to submit early-stage connectivity solutions in three categories. Regional summits address local connectivity issues, while the mentorship program supports contest winners and the next generation of tech innovators. CTU also partners with the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA) to develop guidelines for promising innovations. By bringing diverse efforts under one platform, CTU amplifies impact and fosters collaboration—accelerating the path from idea to real-world deployment.
What is the CTU challenge and how does it work?
The CTU challenge is an annual contest launched in 2021 to uncover innovative methods for connecting the unconnected. It typically receives 200 to 300 submissions each year. In the latest cycle, 245 projects from 52 countries were submitted. Participants include academics, nonprofit organizations, startups, and students. Projects are judged based on their potential to expand broadband access, reduce costs, or promote adoption. Winners receive mentorship, visibility, and support to scale their solutions. The challenge is a cornerstone of CTU’s efforts to crowd-source creative approaches to digital inclusion.
What are the three categories of the CTU challenge?
Projects can be entered into one of three categories:
- Technology Applications: For new connectivity methods or innovations that broaden broadband access.
- Business Model: For those who improve the affordability of internet services.
- Community Enablement: For strategies that promote public broadband adoption.
Each category addresses a different barrier to connectivity: technical feasibility, economic viability, or social acceptance. This structure ensures that innovations tackle the full spectrum of challenges facing underserved communities.
What are the two maturity tracks for projects?
After selecting a category, entrants choose between two tracks based on their project’s maturity:
- Proof-of-concept route: For early-stage but functional technology that has already produced results.
- Conceptual path: For projects in the theoretical phase that have not undergone full testing.
This dual-track system allows participants at different stages of development to compete fairly. It encourages both experimental ideas and validated prototypes to be recognized and supported.
Who can participate in the CTU challenge?
The challenge is open to a diverse range of participants: academics, nonprofit organizations, startups, and students. This inclusivity is intentional—CTU aims to harness creativity from every corner of the global innovation ecosystem. For example, a university research team might submit a proof-of-concept for a low-cost rural network, while a nonprofit could propose a community training program. The program also offers mentorship to winners and emerging innovators, fostering long-term impact.
How has CTU expanded recently?
In the past year, CTU launched regional summits to focus on local connectivity issues, organized community-focused events, and established an expanded mentorship program for contest winners and future innovators. It also strengthened its partnership with the IEEE Standards Association to develop guidelines for submitted innovations. These expansions ensure that CTU adapts to regional needs while maintaining a global perspective. As cochair Sudhir Dixit notes, the goal is to consolidate all digital connectivity efforts onto a single platform, leveraging IEEE’s reputation to raise visibility and accelerate progress.