An integrated circuit (IC) chip carrier includes an internal connected plane stiffener. The connected plane stiffener includes a first plane connected to a second plane by a channel via. The first plane is separated from the second plane a plane separation dielectric layer. The channel via is within the plane separation dielectric layer. The first plane and the second plane resist bending moments internal to the IC chip carrier. The channel via resists shear forces internal to the IC chip carrier. The first plane and the second plane may be both power planes that distributes power potential within the IC chip carrier. The first plane and the second plane may be both ground planes that distributes ground potential within the IC chip carrier.