Shaping the UK's digital future
The Connection Project is a national alliance with a mission to ensure everybody in the UK can thrive in a digital society
Shaping the UK's digital future
The Connection Project is a national alliance with a mission to ensure everybody in the UK can thrive in a digital society
A national alliance united by the belief that we need to act now.
The UK is a digital nation but the benefits aren’t reaching everyone.
Despite world-class infrastructure, millions of people still face confusing systems, patchy access or a lack of confidence online.
Meanwhile, businesses are investing billions in infrastructure, products and services. But without coordination, much of that potential is being lost.
This slows growth, widens inequality and shuts people out of essential services.
We can change this.
By planning a fair transition to a fully digital society by the mid-2030s, we can improve lives and unlock huge social and economic value.
The Connection Project brings together banks, telecoms
companies, broadcasters and civil society.
We’re working to ensure everyone in the UK can thrive in the digital world.
Our goal is to create a practical plan for a digital future where everyone can thrive
UNDERSTANDING CONSUMERS
We’re creating the UK’s first cross-sector segmentation model to understand what people need to participate fully - bringing together data and insight from leading
organisations across different sectors.
UNDERSTANDING INDUSTRY
We’re identifying what businesses need to support their employees and customers, reduce unnecessary costs and encourage growth. We’re also highlighting where businesses rely on other sectors to succeed.
FINDING THE ENABLERS
We’re determining the policies, regulations, incentives and practical actions needed across sectors.
MAPPING THE FUTURE
We’re setting out the costs and benefits to build a strong business case and a clear, multi-sector roadmap for delivery.
Millions of people are missing out on a simpler, more connected way to live and work
Technology is changing fast. Over the past 30 years, most sectors have moved online to improve how they work. But each sector has done this separately, which means we’ve made progress unevenly and created gaps. This approach won’t take us all the way to a fully connected society.
We now need to plan a shared transition to a digital future that supports growth and reduces inequality. The next wave of change is already happening, from changes to TV distribution to AI in public services.
Government decisions over the next few years will shape how this future works. The pace of change is accelerating, and we need to be ready.
Research for the BBC, using PwC modelling shows that, if everyone in the UK could take part in the digital world, it could add £21–30 billion to the economy each year.
This comes from stronger productivity, better employment and more efficient public services.
We also know from other countries that, when everyone can participate digitally, public services work better and pressure on health, welfare and justice systems is reduced.
Inclusion doesn’t mean everyone must be online all the time or know how to use advanced technology. It means making sure people can live confidently in a digital society in ways that suit them.
This might include:
-
trusted intermediaries who can help,
-
places to access services offline,
-
simpler digital tools
-
or services with built-in support.
Some people argue we shouldn’t push people to adapt. But the digital world is already part of everyday life and, without support, many are struggling to navigate it safely. People need to be able to live well in the society that exists today.
We must design our digital systems around people. This means:
-
inclusive mainstream services,
-
assisted or alternative options where needed,
-
extra safeguards where risks are higher,
-
simpler, secure online choices.
Our goal is not to force people to change — it’s to make the digital world work for everyone.
-
About Us
Our team brings experience from many different sectors
The Connection Project is about working together.
We can’t create a truly connected digital society by working in separate silos. We need shared direction and a coordinated plan.
The project is funded by our commercial partners, and we draw on the knowledge and insight of all our founding members.
