Telefonica has marked a decade of progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a €77 billion investment in telecom infrastructure and services. This large-scale infrastructure investment underpins the company’s mission to expand digital inclusion, create quality jobs, and accelerate economic development across its global markets.
Source: EI Confidencial
Driving Growth Through SDG 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
Central to Telefonica’s strategy is SDG 9, which emphasizes industry, innovation, and infrastructure. Over the last ten years, the telecom leader has extended its communications networks to urban and rural areas alike, making affordable, accessible digital technologies widely available.
Today, Telefonica manages nearly 350 million accesses and has reached 81.4 million premises with fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), creating the world’s largest ultra-broadband network after China. The company has achieved 98 percent 4G mobile coverage in key markets, with rural coverage reaching 95 percent in Spain, 99 percent in Germany, and 85 percent in Brazil.
Spain Leads with Advanced Connectivity
Spain remains Telefonica’s flagship for fiber deployment, enabling rapid digital transformation and the phase-out of copper networks. The nation now leads Europe in broadband connections, showcasing how infrastructure investment fuels nationwide digital advancement and competitiveness.
Technology for People: Education and Equality
Telefonica’s infrastructure growth directly supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). Through Fundacion Telefonica programs, 1.16 million people received training in 2024 to improve employability and reduce the digital divide. Gender diversity has also improved significantly: women now represent 34 percent of executive roles, up from 19.1 percent in 2015.
Decarbonisation and Climate Action
Recognizing climate change as a global challenge, Telefonica is pursuing net-zero emissions by 2040—ten years ahead of international agreements. From 2015 to 2024, the company cut CO₂ emissions by 52 percent (including its value chain) and reduced energy consumption per unit of traffic by 90 percent, all while handling massive growth in data traffic.
Sustainable Infrastructure Investment for a Digital Future
Telefonica’s €77 billion infrastructure investment highlights how responsible digitalization can strengthen competitiveness and create long-term business value. By aligning with the SDGs and prioritizing sustainable infrastructure, the company demonstrates how telecom leaders can drive inclusive economic growth while protecting the planet.
TelecomLead.com News Desk
