With societies locked down during the COVID-19 pandemic, total internet usage has surged by as much as 70%. While the crisis has enabled hundreds of millions to participate online, it has exacerbated the digital divide for the remaining 47% of the population who remain offline. What policies, practices and partnerships are needed to drive digitization and connect the unconnected? This session is associated with The EDISON Alliance, a World Economic Forum initiative that mobilizes a global movement of industry and government leaders across sectors to tackle digital deserts. <i>The first part of this session is open to the public online; the second is only accessible via TopLink.<i>