Huawei exceeds ITU Partner2Connect pledge with 170 million connected

Huawei provided digital connectivity to 170 million people in remote areas across more than 80 countries, exceeding the companys pledge to the International Telecommunication Union Partner2Connect Digital Coalition and extending access to healthcare, education, and financial services through digital networks.

The outcome was presented at Huaweis TECH Cares Forum, where roughly 80 guests from governments, industries, partner organizations, and international bodies met to examine digital inclusion. Discussions focused on advancing inclusion in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Edge Resource Allocator (ERA) and on practical measures for multi-stakeholder cooperation.

Huawei upgraded its Rural Series solutions beginning in 2017 to improve affordability and deployment efficiency, and in November 2025 it launched RuralCow to extend coverage to villages of around 1,500 residents with support from MTN Nigeria. The companys Skills on Wheels program, launched in 2019, delivered mobile digital training to more than 130,000 people across 21 countries.

Huawei joined the ITU P2C Digital Coalition in 2022 with a pledge to connect 120 million people in remote areas by 2025; the company surpassed that target. During the forum, participants shared their collaboration progress and expressed willingness to deepen cooperation, and they agreed that advancing digital inclusion in the AI ERA required joint efforts from governments, operators, international organizations, and enterprises.

“Connecting the rural and underserved communities requires innovative business models, inclusivity and the effective use of communication resources as well as community engagement, and sustained investment in local capacity. I applaud Huawei's commitment to universal and meaningful connectivity and I am proud of our strong and successful partnership,” Cosmas Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, said.

Huawei said it would continue to develop rural network technologies, deepen open collaboration, and accelerate digital skills empowerment.