Stories
IMC 2026: Moving Beyond Connectivity to Bring the Next Billion Onto AI
- •Around 97% of the global population is covered by mobile broadband, but 3.1 billion people remain offline despite coverage.
- •Affordability, digital skills, and rising smartphone costs driven by the AI boom threaten to create a new digital divide.
- •India has achieved 99% mobile broadband coverage and is investing $14 billion in the BharatNet program to build robust digital infrastructure.
- •Estonia emphasizes digital inclusion by offering public library access and AI training for citizens who do not own connected devices.
- •Japan and international organizations highlight the need for resilient data centers, international standards, and green energy to support future AI infrastructure.
Key Questions Answered
At IMC 2026, experts noted that while about 97% of the global population is covered by mobile broadband, roughly 3.1 billion people still do not use mobile internet due to major barriers like digital skills and affordability. Furthermore, the AI boom threatens to increase device and memory costs, potentially making it harder for the poorest populations to access AI services.
India is driving efficiency through the amended BharatNet programme with a $14 billion investment for middle-mile digital infrastructure and pushing infrastructure sharing like towers and fibre, cutting capital expenditure by 25% and operating expenditure by 33%. Additionally, the government is deploying around 26,000 towers across approximately 35,000 villages to achieve nationwide coverage.
Estonia ensures no citizen is left behind by providing alternative access to digital government services through a network of public libraries, even for those who choose not to own smartphones or computers. These public libraries are increasingly utilized to teach people essential AI skills and maintain digital equality.
