"There is a huge need and a huge opportunity to get everyone in the world connected, to give everyone a voice and to help transform society for the future. The scale of the technology and infrastructure that must be built is unprecedented, and we believe this is the most important problem we can focus on"

The statement frames universal connectivity as both a moral imperative and a transformative economic project. Connecting everyone expands access to education, healthcare, jobs, markets, and civic participation, shrinking the digital divide that mirrors existing inequalities. “Giving everyone a voice” invokes democratic ideals of expression and agency, suggesting that communication networks can redistribute power by lowering barriers to entry for creators, entrepreneurs, and communities historically excluded from mainstream platforms. Yet that same openness raises hard questions about harassment, propaganda, and misinformation, requiring governance models that protect speech while limiting harm.

Describing the required technology and infrastructure as “unprecedented” is accurate and sobering. Global connectivity entails undersea cables, satellites, terrestrial fiber, 5G, edge computing, resilient data centers, and affordable devices, alongside software that supports every language and accessibility need. It also demands sustainable energy strategies to reduce the carbon footprint, responsible supply chains to minimize e‑waste, and robust security to withstand cyber threats. Success depends on more than engineering: policy frameworks for spectrum, competition, privacy, encryption, and cross‑border data flows must align, and connectivity must be affordable, relevant, and usable through digital literacy.

Calling this the “most important problem” signals mission-driven intent but also concentrates power. When a few platforms mediate global speech, they implicitly set norms for visibility, safety, and revenue. Mitigating that risk means prioritizing interoperability, data portability, open standards, and transparent algorithms, while engaging local communities in content governance and investing in community networks that complement commercial rollouts. Progress should be measured by equitable outcomes: coverage and latency, yes, but also affordability relative to income, gender and rural gaps, accessibility for people with disabilities, and resilience against shutdowns. The opportunity is immense, but its legitimacy hinges on inclusive governance, privacy by design, and a commitment to distribute benefits fairly across societies.