The global telecommunications industry is heading towards a major policy reset as 194 countries gather in Doha, Qatar, to determine the leadership, investment priorities and regulatory direction that will shape the digital economy over the next four years.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 (PP-26), which opened on Monday, comes at a critical moment for the technology and communications industry, with rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI), expanding satellite connectivity and growing competition for radio-frequency spectrum reshaping the global digital landscape.
Over the next three weeks, delegates will elect the leadership of the United Nations specialised agency, review its strategic and financial priorities for 2028 to 2031, and negotiate policies affecting the development and management of global telecommunications infrastructure.
The decisions are expected to influence how countries coordinate spectrum resources, regulate emerging technologies, expand broadband infrastructure and mobilise investment to close persistent connectivity gaps. The stakes are considerable. About two billion people worldwide remain without internet access, even as AI applications, satellite-based services and other digital technologies create new demands for reliable and affordable connectivity.
Doreen Bogdan-Martin, ITU secretary-general, said the conference presents an opportunity to strengthen the organisation’s capacity to help member states navigate technological changes while ensuring that the benefits of digital transformation reach everyone.
The ITU plays a central role in the global telecommunications ecosystem through its coordination of radio frequencies and satellite orbits, development of international technical standards and support for digital development.
These responsibilities have become increasingly important as telecommunications networks extend beyond traditional mobile and fibre infrastructure into satellite systems, connected devices and AI-enabled services.
One of the most consequential issues before delegates is the future of global spectrum management. Radio-frequency spectrum is a finite resource essential for mobile broadband, satellite communications, broadcasting, aviation and other critical services.
The growing demand for spectrum, particularly as countries expand 5G networks and prepare for future generations of mobile technology, is increasing the importance of international coordination to prevent interference and ensure efficient use of available frequencies.
Satellite connectivity is also gaining prominence as governments and private operators explore ways to extend broadband access to remote and underserved communities. However, the expansion of space-based communications raises questions around orbital sustainability, frequency coordination and the equitable use of shared resources.
AI presents another significant challenge for policymakers. Its growing deployment across telecommunications networks, public services and businesses is creating opportunities to improve efficiency and service delivery, but also raises concerns around infrastructure capacity, standards, accessibility and the widening digital divide.
For developing economies, including countries across Africa, the outcome of these discussions could influence the cost and availability of digital infrastructure, investment opportunities and access to emerging technologies.
The leadership elections, scheduled to begin on November 12, will be particularly important in determining how the ITU responds to these competing priorities.
Member States will elect the secretary-general, deputy secretary-general and directors of the organisation’s Radiocommunication, Telecommunication Standardization and Telecommunication Development bureaux.
The conference will subsequently elect 12 members of the Radio Regulations Board, which oversees the application and interpretation of the international treaty governing radio-frequency spectrum use. Another 48 countries will be elected to the ITU Council, the organisation’s governing body between plenipotentiary conferences.
Beyond the elections, delegates will approve the ITU’s strategic and financial plans for 2028 to 2031, setting the organisation’s policy priorities and resource commitments for the next four years.
Engineer Ahmad bin Abdulla AlMuslemani, Chair-Designate of PP-26 and president of Qatar’s Communications Regulatory Authority, said the conference was taking place at a pivotal time for the ICT industry, with technological developments creating opportunities as well as challenges requiring stronger international cooperation.
He said the decisions reached in Doha should strengthen the ITU’s ability to support member states, expand connectivity and bridge the digital divide.
Qatar’s minister of Communications and Information Technology, Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, said hosting the conference reflected the country’s commitment to international cooperation and shaping the future of telecommunications.
The conference is expected to attract about 3,000 participants, including government officials, regulators and industry representatives, with discussions covering digital infrastructure resilience, emergency communications, space-based connectivity, investment and the application of emerging technologies.
Its co-location with Mobile World Congress 2026 Doha, which runs from November 8 to 10, is also expected to bring policymakers and industry leaders together to discuss innovation, investment and the future of telecommunications.
For African economies, the discussions carry particular significance. The continent’s ambitions to expand broadband access, develop digital industries and attract investment in data infrastructure depend partly on international standards, spectrum coordination and affordable access to connectivity technologies.
The ITU’s next four-year policy cycle will therefore provide an important framework for how developing countries participate in the global digital economy.
The conference will also feature ministerial discussions and dedicated activities aimed at improving the participation of women and young people in digital transformation.
Ultimately, the decisions in Doha will determine not only who leads the ITU but also how the organisation balances the interests of established technology markets and developing economies as AI, satellite communications and spectrum demand reshape the global telecommunications industry.