Meta and the Internet Society have launched the Connectivity Co-Funding Initiative, a new project aimed at expanding affordable internet connections worldwide.
Announced at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the initiative commits a $30 million investment through 2030 to support infrastructure development in communities that have been overlooked by commercial providers.
The initiative will fund projects designed to improve connectivity in underserved areas, with investments directed toward building locally owned networks, community-centered solutions, and training programs to enhance technical skills in marginalized regions. This effort builds on a longstanding partnership between Meta and the Internet Society, which has previously focused on developing internet exchange points (IXPs) in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.
Sally Wentworth, President and CEO of the Internet Society, emphasized the importance of collective action. “This new Connectivity Co-Funding initiative, supported by Meta, is a prime example of collective action that will help provide meaningful access to more than 2 billion people across the world with insufficient or no Internet,” Wentworth said. She expressed hope that the initiative would play a pivotal role in bridging the digital divide and fostering a more equitable digital society.
Meta is the first partner in the initiative, and the Internet Society is now calling for additional partners to help grow the fund and extend its impact. The partnership underscores a commitment to leveraging private and non-profit collaboration to address global connectivity challenges and promote economic growth and social inclusion through improved access to the internet.
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Thousands of Iranians filled the streets of Tehran on Saturday to mourn senior military leaders and nuclear scientists killed in recent Israeli airstrikes.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the urgency of a U.S.-Iran agreement to prevent further regional escalation, pointing to ongoing diplomatic momentum following recent military tensions.
The UN has welcomed a U.S.-brokered peace deal between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, calling it a major step toward regional stability.
U.S. President Donald Trump has strongly denied reports suggesting his administration considered offering Iran $30 billion for a civilian nuclear program, calling the claims a “hoax.”
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 28th June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
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Germany’s data protection commissioner has called on Apple and Google to block the Chinese AI app DeepSeek from their platforms over illegal data transfers and privacy concerns.
Australian scientists have developed synthetic chemicals to attract crown-of-thorns starfish for mass removal, offering a safer, targeted method to protect coral reefs.
SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son said on Friday the group aims to become the world’s top platform provider for artificial super intelligence within the next decade, signaling a bold new direction for the Japanese tech giant.
A belt of volcanic rock in northeastern Quebec has been dated to 4.16 billion years ago, making it the oldest known rock on Earth and offering rare insight into the planet’s mysterious infancy.
Thousands of Iranians filled the streets of Tehran on Saturday to mourn senior military leaders and nuclear scientists killed in recent Israeli airstrikes.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the urgency of a U.S.-Iran agreement to prevent further regional escalation, pointing to ongoing diplomatic momentum following recent military tensions.
The UN has welcomed a U.S.-brokered peace deal between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, calling it a major step toward regional stability.
U.S. President Donald Trump has strongly denied reports suggesting his administration considered offering Iran $30 billion for a civilian nuclear program, calling the claims a “hoax.”
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 28th June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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