What is holding back mobile internet adoption globally?

Overview of global mobile internet connectivity in 2024

In recent years, although the number of mobile Internet users on personal devices continues to increase, the growth rate is slowing down. Compared to the period 2015-2021, when there were more than 200 million new mobile Internet users each year, this number has decreased significantly in the past 2 years, accordingly, each year only increased about 160 million new users.

A new research report, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) through the GSMA Mobile for Development Fund, paints a detailed picture of the state of mobile internet access and usage globally.

The report highlights some of the major obstacles that are preventing the growth of mobile internet, especially in rural areas and developing countries. It also highlights the need for cooperation between governments, mobile operators and international organisations. The report reveals that 4.6 billion people (57% of the global population) currently use the mobile internet on their personal devices.

In particular, the report shows that 350 million people (4% of the global population) live in remote areas without mobile internet (coverage gap) and 3.1 billion people (39% of the global population) have access to mobile internet but do not use it (usage gap). The usage gap is nine times larger than the coverage gap, indicating a large gap between accessibility and actual use.

Notably, the least connected region globally is sub-Saharan Africa, where only 27% of the population uses mobile internet services, representing a coverage gap of 13% and a usage gap of 60%.

Barriers to global mobile internet adoption

The biggest challenge, the report says, is getting people who don’t have access to the internet connected. If done, the global economy could gain an estimated $3.5 trillion between 2023 and 2030. Notably, the vast majority of these gains (around 90%) would go to low- and middle-income countries.

Mobile Internet coverage is mainly concentrated in rural, mountainous and island areas, where socio-economic conditions are difficult, the population is sparse and the terrain is rugged. In these areas, telecommunications infrastructure is limited, and the deployment of BTS stations faces many technical and cost obstacles.

To overcome this situation, a large investment of an estimated 418 billion USD is needed to build and upgrade the network system, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to access the Internet. This investment not only requires large capital but also requires close coordination between state management agencies, telecommunications enterprises and international organizations.

In low- and middle-income countries, mobile Internet adoption remains challenging, especially for low-income populations.

The biggest barrier is the affordability of devices and internet access. In these countries, a basic smartphone with internet access typically costs 18% of the average monthly income. This figure is even more worrying for the poorest 20% of the world, who spend 51% of their monthly income on a similar device.

In sub-Saharan Africa, the situation is even more dire, with the poorest 20% of people spending almost their entire monthly income (up to 99%) to buy a basic smartphone.

Lack of digital skills and technology literacy is a second major barrier to mobile internet adoption, especially in Asian countries. Many people, especially older adults and those in rural areas, have difficulty using mobile devices and basic applications. They do not know how to search for information, make online transactions, or participate in social networks.

In addition, the lack of relevant, localized content and services is also a concern. Many online applications and platforms do not support local languages ​​or cultures, making them difficult to access and use. About 43% of mobile Internet users expressed a desire to use the Internet more for more complex activities, such as online learning, remote working, or participating in online communities. This shows the need for meaningful connection and true digital inclusion among people.

The most common barrier preventing people from increasing their mobile internet usage is concerns about personal information security and privacy. Many people fear being hacked, having their information stolen, or falling victim to online fraud.

Affordability is also a major barrier, especially for mobile data plans and smartphone purchases. In many countries, mobile data costs remain high relative to per capita income, discouraging many from using the internet.

Connection quality also significantly affects user experience. Although the majority of people in the world have moved to 4G or 5G smartphones, a significant portion, especially in developing countries, are still using 3G or feature phones. This results in slow internet access speeds, unstable connections, and limits the use of online services that require high bandwidth.

In Latin America & the Caribbean and the Middle East & North Africa, more than a third of mobile internet users still use 3G or feature phones. This figure is even higher in sub-Saharan Africa, at nearly two-thirds. This shows that the quality of network infrastructure and access to modern devices remain major challenges in these regions.

John Giusti, Managing Director at GSMA, said that removing barriers such as cost, digital skills and mobile internet awareness is crucial to making digital technology accessible to everyone. To achieve this, close cooperation between governments, operators and international organizations is needed to invest in digital infrastructure and improve cybersecurity, thereby promoting economic development and improving the quality of life of people.