Ericsson says its commitment forms part of the World Economic-Forum aligned Edison Alliance One Billion Lives Challenge—a global movement of 45 champions from the public and private sectors. Members like Ericsson are committed to prioritise digital inclusion to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) so that every person can fully participate in the digital economy and society.

The One Billion Lives Challenge brings together digital inclusion commitments from governments, companies, and other organisations globally.

Ericsson president and CEO Börje Ekholm will address the company’s new commitment today in a virtual program to the Global Forum for Children and Youth where he will explain the work of Ericsson in realising its mission: to enable a world where limitless connectivity improves lives, redefines business, and pioneers a sustainable future. He envisions a world where limitless connectivity means limitless possibility.

Ericsson’s commitment will implement its commitment through the leading Connect To Learn initiative which has impacted more than 200,000 children and young people in over 25 countries globally since its foundation in 2010.

Ericsson says the initiative gives access to quality education for underserved and unconnected communities and establishes an inclusive digital platform. It also aims to improve gender equality by empowering women and girls through ICT.

“At the heart of Ericsson’s purpose is the belief that connectivity creates possibility for all people. We believe it is a responsibility of government and business to work together to build a more equitable future for children and young people – digital connection is a critical enabler of this. Ensuring that every young person has access to a quality internet connection and can acquire the necessary skills to thrive in a digital economy,” Ekholm says.

“This is why we are making this pledge to help narrow the digital divide and create a more equitable society,” Ekholm adds.

“This is the latest milestone for Ericsson’s Connect To Learn program, which has been working for over 10 years to advance digital inclusion. However, there is still much more to be done,” claims Ekholm.

“We call on partners, customers, governments and NGOs to join us in pledging the resources needed to make a real, lasting difference,” Ekholm urges.

Ericsson has also partnered with Unicef to support the Giga Initiative.

The Giga Initiative, founded by Unicef and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), is a partner of the Edison Alliance and aims to connect every school to the internet by 2030 and every young person to information, opportunity, and choice.

This first appeared in the subscription newsletter CommsWire on 13 December 2021.