Report: Global mobile broadband coverage reaches 95%

Most of the world's population (95%) is now covered by mobile broadband networks. But according to a new GSMA report, 40 percent of the population covered by these networks face other barriers preventing them from getting online.

These barriers include lack of literacy and digital skills, affordability (especially for mobile phones), access to relevant content and services, safety and security issues, and access.

The report also shows that more than half (55%) of the global population has access to the mobile internet, up from 43% in 2017.

The GSMA report adds that the majority (94%) of the world’s “unconnected” population – who are more likely to be poor, living in rural areas and women – live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to lack of internet access” hindering them from playing an active role in an increasingly networked world", these individuals are less likely to cope with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, rising energy prices, cost-of-living crises and other economic disruptions.

The report also showed that nearly 300 million people went online last year. The majority of people starting mobile internet in 2021 will be from LMICs, which means that half of the population in LMICs is using mobile internet for the first time.

"Over 55% of the world's population is benefiting from the transformative power of mobile internet connectivity," said GSMA Director-General Mats Granryd in an advance statement on the report on mobile broadband coverage. "Global mobile operators have now expanded mobile coverage to 95% of the world's population and continue to invest daily to expand coverage. We should celebrate this achievement, but we shouldn't let it blind us to bigger challenges.

“It is time to take real steps to help the 3.2 billion people who do not use mobile internet despite living in the footprint of mobile broadband networks. We call on governments and organisations around the world to work with the mobile industry to embrace digital inclusion as a real priorities. Removing barriers to mobile internet adoption will boost economic recovery, improve social mobility and gender equality, and transform the lives of millions of people around the world.”

The GSMA report follows a report from Ericsson predicting that 90% of wireless subscriptions in North America will be 5G in 2027, with more than 1 billion 5G subscriptions by the end of the year.