The Urgent Need for Inclusive 6G Connectivity in Developing Countries

As the world looks toward the sixth generation of wireless technology, 6G promises speeds and capabilities far beyond current 5G networks — with data rates potentially exceeding 100 gigabits per second, near-zero latency, and the ability to integrate terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks seamlessly. For developing countries, these advances offer a historic opportunity to leapfrog connectivity gaps that have persisted through previous generations. However, the design, deployment, and regulation of 6G systems must be intentionally inclusive to ensure that the technology does not widen the digital divide but instead becomes a powerful tool for sustainable development, economic growth, and social equity.

Inclusive connectivity means every individual, regardless of location, income, or education level, can access affordable, reliable, and meaningful digital services. In developing regions — where an estimated 2.6 billion people still lack internet access — inclusive 6G networks could transform healthcare delivery via telemedicine, provide remote education in rural schools, empower smallholder farmers with precision agriculture data, and enable government services to reach citizens in remote communities. The design decisions made today by engineers, policymakers, and industry leaders will determine whether 6G fulfills this promise or becomes another unequal infrastructure.

The Current Connectivity Landscape in Developing Countries

Despite significant progress with 4G and early 5G rollouts, the digital divide remains stark. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) reports that in least developed countries, only about 36% of the population uses the internet, compared to over 90% in developed nations. Rural areas, where a large portion of the population in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia lives, are particularly underserved — often lacking even basic mobile broadband coverage due to high deployment costs, challenging geography, and low population density that make traditional infrastructure investments unprofitable. Existing networks also suffer from insufficient backhaul capacity, frequent power outages, and high device costs, further limiting meaningful connectivity.

When 5G was introduced, it largely focused on urban centers and high-value enterprise applications, such as factory automation and enhanced mobile broadband. Developing countries that adopted 5G often did so only in major cities, leaving rural and peri-urban areas with older technologies. The lessons from 5G are clear: unless inclusivity is embedded into the very architecture of 6G — from antenna design and spectrum policy to business models and user interfaces — the same pattern of uneven access will repeat.

Why 6G Can Be Different

Unlike previous generations, 6G is being conceptualized from the start as a network of networks that integrates terrestrial base stations, satellite constellations, high-altitude platform stations (HAPS), drones, and even free-space optical links. This architectural shift means that coverage can be extended to the most remote corners of the world without requiring costly fiber or wired backhaul in every location. Moreover, 6G’s design goals include energy efficiency, security, and resilience, which align well with the operational realities of developing countries where power grids are unreliable and maintenance expertise may be limited.

The ITU’s “IMT-2030” framework sets out ambitious performance targets for 6G, but also explicitly lists sustainability, ubiquitous coverage, and inclusiveness as overarching goals. This represents a departure from earlier frameworks that prioritized peak data rates and latency above all else. By leveraging artificial intelligence and network automation, 6G can dynamically optimize resource usage, adapt to fluctuating demand, and reduce operational costs — making it more feasible to serve low-density areas sustainably.

Key Technical Design Strategies for Inclusive 6G Systems

Designing 6G for inclusivity requires a multi-pronged approach that tackles cost, coverage, and complexity simultaneously. Below are the most promising technical strategies being explored by researchers, consortia, and standardization bodies.

Low-Cost Infrastructure through Open RAN and Virtualization

One of the largest barriers to deploying next-generation networks in developing countries is the capital expenditure required for hardware: base stations, antennas, core network equipment, and installation. The Open RAN movement, which decouples hardware from software and allows operators to mix and match equipment from multiple vendors, can significantly reduce costs by eliminating vendor lock-in and fostering competition. For 6G, open architectures can be extended further — with disaggregated, containerized network functions running on commercial off-the-shelf servers — lowering the entry barrier for smaller operators and community networks.

Network slicing, a key feature of 5G-Advanced that will be refined in 6G, allows a single physical network to support multiple virtual networks with different performance characteristics. This is especially valuable in developing countries where a single network might need to serve both a city hospital requiring ultra-reliable low-latency links and a rural school needing only basic internet. By dynamically allocating resources, operators can offer affordable, limited-capacity slices to underserved areas while maintaining premium services elsewhere.

Artificial intelligence will play a central role in managing these complex, heterogeneous networks. AI-driven optimization can predict traffic patterns, schedule resources, and even self-heal network failures, reducing the need for skilled local personnel. This is critical in regions where training and retaining network engineers is difficult. Lower operational overhead translates directly into more sustainable connectivity models.

Non-Terrestrial Networks: Satellites, HAPS, and Drones

The most transformative aspect of 6G for inclusive connectivity is its native support for non-terrestrial networks (NTN). While 5G introduced some non-terrestrial capabilities, 6G will seamlessly integrate low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, geostationary satellites, high-altitude platform stations (HAPS) in the stratosphere, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into a single unified network architecture. For developing countries with large areas of difficult terrain — dense forests, mountains, deserts, or archipelagos — these technologies can provide broadband coverage where terrestrial towers are impractical or too expensive.

LEO constellations, such as those deployed by Starlink and others, have already demonstrated the ability to deliver internet to rural and remote areas in Africa and Latin America. For 6G, satellites will not be a stopgap but an integral part of the network. New antenna technologies like phased arrays and massive MIMO can be made affordable at scale, and with advanced beamforming, a single satellite can serve thousands of users over a wide area, dynamically steering capacity where needed. HAPS, meanwhile, can act as “floating base stations” covering a region hundreds of kilometers in diameter, with lower latency than satellite and easier deployment than terrestrial towers.

However, integrating NTN with terrestrial networks introduces complexities around handover, spectrum sharing, and interference management. The 3GPP and ITU are actively defining standards for NTN in 6G, and it is essential that developing countries participate in these processes to ensure their needs — such as support for lower-cost, lower-throughput devices — are addressed.

Flexible and Shared Spectrum Management

Spectrum is the lifeblood of wireless communications, but in many developing countries, large portions of spectrum remain unused or are inefficiently allocated. Shared spectrum models, such as dynamic spectrum access and licensed shared access, can unlock additional capacity without requiring exclusive nationwide licenses that may be too expensive for rural operators.

6G will operate across a wide range of frequency bands — from sub-1 GHz bands for wide-area coverage and penetration into buildings, up to mid-bands (e.g., 7-24 GHz) for capacity, and potentially into the sub-terahertz range (above 100 GHz) for localized ultra-high-capacity links. For inclusive connectivity, the lower bands are critical. In many developing countries, the so-called “digital dividend” spectrum freed up by the analog TV switch-off (e.g., the 700 MHz band) is still not fully utilized. Policies that prioritize affordable, transparent spectrum allocation — including unlicensed and shared access in these bands — can dramatically reduce the cost of rural coverage.

Innovative techniques like spectrum pooling among operators and co-primary sharing between terrestrial and satellite services can further improve efficiency. Moreover, 6G’s AI-enabled spectrum management can adapt to real-time usage patterns, minimizing interference and maximizing throughput. This flexibility is especially valuable in regions where spectrum demand varies widely between urban and rural areas.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Power Solutions

Many developing countries face chronic power shortages or rely on expensive diesel generators, making it difficult to operate base stations around the clock. 6G design targets include a 100x improvement in energy efficiency over 5G, driven by advances in chip design, antenna technologies, and network sleep modes. Renewable energy-powered base stations — using solar panels, small wind turbines, or even micro-hydro — combined with battery storage can make networks self-sufficient.

Furthermore, 6G standards are expected to include wake-up radio and lightweight protocols that allow devices and network nodes to sleep for extended periods, waking only when needed. This drastically reduces the average power consumption, which is crucial for off-grid or weak-grid environments. By designing base stations that can operate on as little as 100–500 watts in low-traffic modes, operators can extend coverage to areas that would otherwise be uneconomical.

Low-power device designs are also essential. 6G will support massive machine-type communications (mMTC) with extremely low-cost, low-power sensors for agriculture, environmental monitoring, and smart metering. Such devices can communicate over kilometer-long distances using narrowband channels, enabling a whole new range of applications relevant to rural development.

Social and Economic Dimensions of Inclusive 6G Design

Technical solutions alone cannot deliver inclusive connectivity. Serving the poorest communities requires attention to affordability, digital literacy, and local relevance. Below are the social and economic strategies that must accompany technical design.

Affordability and Innovative Business Models

The total cost of ownership for mobile broadband in developing countries includes device costs, data plans, taxes, and electricity. For many families, even a basic smartphone is a major expense. 6G systems should be designed to support low-cost, low-power user devices — potentially including feature phones with advanced capabilities — that can still connect to the network. The 6G ecosystem must encourage device manufacturers to produce models at price points under $30, perhaps through government subsidies, open-source hardware designs, or volume procurement commitments.

On the service side, innovative pricing models such as daily or weekly plans, zero-rated essential services (health, education, government portals), and data-light applications can reduce barriers. Community networks — where a local group deploys and manages a small network — have proven effective in rural areas of Nepal, Argentina, and Kenya. 6G architecture should facilitate such models by allowing simple, secure, and low-cost access to network gateway functions. Policies that reduce regulatory overhead for small-scale operators and exempt them from certain licensing fees can also help.

Digital Literacy and Local Capacity Building

Connectivity without digital skills is wasted. 6G deployment should include large-scale digital literacy programs funded by governments, international development agencies, and technology companies. These programs should go beyond basic internet use to include skills for content creation, cybersecurity awareness, and remote work or e-commerce. Partnerships with local universities and technical training centers can create a pipeline of network engineers and technicians to maintain 6G infrastructure — reducing reliance on foreign experts and building long-term capacity.

Furthermore, local content and applications are essential to make connectivity relevant. 6G’s low latency and high reliability can power telemedicine consultations with specialists in distant cities, remote learning platforms that adapt to local curricula, and agricultural advisory services that use real-time weather and soil data in local languages. Developing countries must invest in a vibrant local developer ecosystem that can create these services, leveraging 6G’s application programming interfaces and edge computing capabilities.

Policy and Regulatory Framework for an Inclusive 6G Future

True inclusive connectivity will not happen through technology alone. Supportive policies and regulatory frameworks at national and international levels are necessary to direct investment, allocate resources fairly, and protect user rights.

Infrastructure Investment and Universal Service Funds

Many developing countries have established Universal Service Funds (USFs) to subsidize connectivity in underserved areas. Unfortunately, these funds are often mismanaged, slow to disburse, or tied to legacy technologies. For 6G, USFs should be reformed to support collaborative infrastructure models such as wholesale open-access networks, where a publicly funded passive infrastructure (towers, backhaul, power) can be shared by multiple operators. This lowers the risk for private companies and encourages competition even in low-revenue areas. Additionally, governments can provide tax incentives, reduced import duties on telecommunications equipment, and direct grants for pilot projects in rural zones.

Spectrum Policy for Rural Coverage

Regulators must ensure that spectrum assignments do not inadvertently penalize rural operators. Spectrum caps that apply uniformly across urban and rural areas could prevent operators from optimizing their use of low-frequency bands for wide-area coverage. Instead, regulators could adopt geographically differentiated licensing — for instance, allowing operators to use lower bands in rural areas while higher bands are licensed for urban capacity. Unlicensed or lightly licensed spectrum in the sub-1 GHz range could be designated specifically for rural, low-power, wide-area networks that can be deployed by small operators or communities.

International coordination is also essential, particularly for satellite spectrum. The World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC) shape global spectrum allocation. Developing countries should have a strong voice in these forums to ensure that their interests — such as reserving spectrum for affordable satellite broadband or sharing bands for HAPS — are protected.

Public-Private Partnerships and International Cooperation

No single entity can finance and deploy inclusive 6G networks across an entire country. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) can blend government funding, development bank loans, and private capital to build shared infrastructure. For example, a government could fund backhaul links to remote towns, while a private operator pays for base stations and last-mile connections. Development finance institutions like the World Bank and regional development banks have programs focused on digital infrastructure and can provide concessional financing for inclusive 6G projects. International cooperation through bodies like the ITU, GSMA, and IEEE is vital for setting standards, sharing best practices, and providing technical assistance to lower-income countries.

Future Outlook: From 6G Vision to Reality

The first commercial 6G networks are expected around 2030, but the time to act is now. Standardization is underway in the ITU (IMT-2030 framework) and the 3GPP (studies on 6G system architecture). Research programs in countries like China, the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Europe are advancing key technologies. However, developing countries are often observers rather than active participants in this process. To ensure inclusive design, greater representation from the Global South in standards bodies and research consortia is essential.

Pilot projects that test inclusive 6G technologies should begin immediately, even as early 6G standards are being drafted. Such pilots can demonstrate the viability of low-cost, satellite-integrated, solar-powered networks in real-world conditions. The results will inform both technical standards and regulatory policies. International development agencies should fund a network of testbeds in rural and remote areas of Africa, South Asia, and Latin America, focusing on use cases like e-health, remote education, and climate resilience.

The vision of inclusive 6G connectivity is ambitious but achievable. It requires a shift in mindset: from designing 6G primarily for the most advanced use cases in developed economies to designing it as a universal platform that serves the most marginalized first. By embedding inclusivity into the core architecture — through affordable devices, energy-self-sufficient base stations, integrated satellite backhaul, flexible spectrum sharing, and supportive policies — we can create a 6G that truly connects everyone, everywhere.

The digital divide that has persisted through 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G must end with 6G. The resources, technology, and global awareness exist. The question is whether we have the collective will to design and deploy 6G systems that prioritize people over profit, and equity over expediency. For developing countries, inclusive 6G is not just a technological upgrade — it is an imperative for sustainable and just development in the 21st century.

Further reading: The ITU’s “Facts and Figures 2023” report provides detailed statistics on global internet access. The GSMA Mobile Economy report offers regional data on mobile connectivity. The World Bank’s Digital Development topic page covers policies for inclusive infrastructure. An overview of 6G research priorities can be found in the IEEE 6G coverage. The 3GPP’s work on non-terrestrial networks is described in their NTN overview.