As the digital divide persists, nearly 30% of the global population—over 2.7 billion people—remain without internet access, according to the latest data from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) released in 2025. While urban centers continue to expand their digital infrastructure, rural and underserved communities face persistent challenges in accessing reliable broadband. The IEEE Future Networks initiative is tackling this gap head-on through its Connecting the Unconnected (CTU) program, a global platform that identifies, supports, and standardizes innovative solutions to bridge the digital divide.
Launched in 2021 as part of IEEE’s broader efforts to accelerate 5G, 6G, and future network technologies, CTU operates at the intersection of technology development, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. Each year, the program hosts a global competition that attracts hundreds of submissions from innovators worldwide, followed by regional summits and hands-on community demonstrations. What sets CTU apart is its holistic approach: not only does it fund promising projects, but it also provides mentorship, helps develop business models, and works to standardize successful solutions through IEEE’s rigorous standards process.
The program’s impact extends beyond technology development. By partnering with organizations like the Lemelson Foundation and hosting events that bring innovators directly to rural communities, CTU is creating sustainable pathways for digital inclusion. “Our job is to help further develop the technology, look for gaps, and see if it is good enough to be applied to rural villages, like those in Africa and India,” explains Ashutosh Dutta, IEEE Fellow and CTU co-chair, emphasizing the program’s focus on real-world implementation.
How the CTU Program Works: From Competition to Community Impact
The CTU challenge operates through a three-phase process that begins with an annual competition open to innovators from all backgrounds. The 2025 competition received 245 submissions from 52 countries, representing a diverse range of participants including academics, nonprofit organizations, startups, and students. Projects are evaluated across three key categories:
- Technology Applications: Innovations that expand broadband access through new connectivity methods
- Business Models: Solutions that improve the affordability of internet services
- Community Enablement: Strategies that promote public adoption of broadband technology
Participants choose between two tracks based on their project’s maturity: proof-of-concept for functional technologies or conceptual for theoretical ideas. The 2025 submission period ran from March to June, with judging phases extending through November. Winners receive financial awards ranging from $500 to $2,500, along with visibility through IEEE’s global network and potential pathways to standardization.
Among last year’s winners were:
- A solar-powered community broadband network in Tanzania that provides reliable connectivity in off-grid areas
- A low-cost internet access method using FM radio and SMS technology, making connectivity affordable in resource-limited settings
- A healthcare delivery system leveraging India’s rural broadband infrastructure to connect isolated tribal communities with medical services
Beyond the Competition: Regional Summits and Community Engagement
CTU’s approach extends far beyond the annual competition. In 2025, the program hosted three regional summits addressing local connectivity challenges:
- North America: Held in Washington, D.C. In September, focusing on policy and infrastructure solutions
- Global/Asia-Pacific: Co-located with the IEEE Future Networks World Forum in Bangalore, India in November
- Europe, Middle East & Africa: Held in Abuja, Nigeria in November, addressing sustainable business models and financing
These summits brought together experts to discuss critical topics including:
- Infrastructure solutions for universal connectivity
- Sustainable business models for rural broadband
- Scaling homegrown technologies in developing regions
- Policy and regulatory frameworks that enable digital inclusion
A key innovation from 2025 was the inaugural “Connect a Community” event held in Bengaluru, India. Organized by IEEE Life Fellow Rakesh Kumar, this full-day program brought together 10 challenge winners who demonstrated their connectivity solutions directly to villagers from seven rural communities. The event highlighted the program’s commitment to ensuring technologies are community-driven and culturally appropriate.
The Empowerment Through Mentorship Program: Turning Ideas into Businesses
Recognizing that technological innovation alone isn’t enough to create sustainable change, IEEE launched the Empowerment Through Mentorship program in partnership with the Lemelson Foundation. This initiative provides 1,000 days of guidance to entrepreneurs, helping them navigate the challenges of scaling their solutions from concept to market.
The program’s structure includes three tiers:
- Individual Focus: Addressing personal development needs of entrepreneurs
- Program/Technical Level: Supporting the invention and technical development
- Venture Level: Guiding participants from initial concept through product testing and validation
Mentors—who can be IEEE members or successful entrepreneurs from various sectors—provide guidance on critical business aspects including:
- Securing financing and investment
- Developing marketing strategies
- Building profitable business models
- Networking with industry leaders
“We launched the mentorship program to further the cause,” says Sudhir Dixit, CTU co-chair and Basic Internet Foundation co-founder. “These people may be good at developing technology, but they don’t know the marketing challenges, how to raise money, and other factors. It’s not the technology that will make the product successful. it’s everything else that goes into it.”
The Lemelson Foundation’s involvement reflects its commitment to fostering innovation ecosystems, particularly in East Africa, India, and the United States. “IEEE’s powerful international network and focus on electrical engineering—critical for communications and energy infrastructure—made them the ideal partner,” explains Kory Murphy, Lemelson’s program officer for U.S. Invention and entrepreneurship.
From Innovation to Standardization: Creating Global Solutions
One of CTU’s most significant contributions is its work to standardize promising technologies through collaboration with the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA). The program reviews approximately half of all submitted projects for potential standardization, with about 60 submissions typically undergoing detailed evaluation each year.
This process led to the development of IEEE P1962, a standard for providing broadband connectivity to rural infrastructure by utilizing solar panels as optical communication receivers. The standard specifies an architecture that enables energy-efficient, affordable, and high-speed optical wireless communication in off-grid areas.
“The CTU program is not only about developing a technology or implementing it, but also standardizing it so that people around the world can use the standard,” says Dutta. “This creates a level playing field where communities in Africa, India, and beyond can benefit from the same technological advancements.”
Success Story: Community Radio Bolo Brings Broadband to India’s Rural Areas
One standout example of CTU’s impact is the Community Radio Bolo (CR Bolo) project developed by Ritu Srivastava, a telecommunications engineer and IEEE member. Her 2022 winning project addresses the critical connectivity gap in India’s rural areas, where internet services are either unavailable or unreliable.
CR Bolo creates a cost-effective hybrid network that combines online and offline wireless mesh technology installed on community radio station towers. The system includes:
- A plug-and-play interactive voice response system that routes callers using voice commands or keypad inputs
- Direct-to-consumer platforms where local manufacturers can sell products through websites or mobile apps
- Access points located at schools and community centers within a 5-7 kilometer radius
“CR Bolo is a unique method of leveraging rural traditional technologies and infrastructure combined with modern technology to provide meaningful access to communities,” explains Srivastava. “It’s improving livelihood opportunities and creating social and economic viability for community radio stations.”
Srivastava plans to expand the project to other rural communities in India, incorporating large language models and learning management systems to deliver training programs and educational courses. Her experience with CTU has led to increased opportunities in networking, funding, and publishing her research in IEEE journals.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 CTU Challenge and Beyond
The 2026 CTU challenge submission period is currently open until June 19, with judging phases scheduled from July through October. The program continues to evolve, with plans to expand its regional summit series and deepen partnerships with organizations that share its mission of digital inclusion.
For those interested in participating or learning more about the program, official updates and submission guidelines are available through the IEEE Future Networks website. The next Winners Summit is expected to be held in December 2026, where finalists will present their solutions to a global audience.
Key Takeaways: How CTU is Changing Global Connectivity
- Holistic Approach: CTU addresses technology, business development, and community engagement simultaneously
- Global Participation: The program attracts innovators from 52+ countries each year
- Standardization Impact: Successful projects are evaluated for potential IEEE standards, creating global compatibility
- Community-Centric Design: Technologies are developed with direct input from rural communities
- Long-Term Support: The 1,000-day mentorship program provides sustained business development assistance
- Measurable Results: Projects like CR Bolo demonstrate tangible improvements in rural connectivity and economic opportunities
As the digital economy continues to expand, initiatives like IEEE’s Connecting the Unconnected program play a crucial role in ensuring that no community is left behind. By fostering innovation, providing mentorship, and creating standards that can be implemented worldwide, CTU is helping to build a more connected—and more equitable—global society.
What are your thoughts on this initiative? Have you been involved in similar digital inclusion projects? Share your experiences in the comments below or on our social media channels. For more updates on the 2026 challenge and upcoming summits, follow IEEE Future Networks.