GSMA Predicts There Will Be 362 Million Mobile Internet Users in the MENA Region by 2025

"Since the emergence of Covid-19, mobile networks have been instrumental in providing the reliable connectivity needed to sustain social and economic activities," the GSMA says in its annual report on the state of the mobile economy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. "As countries bring the pandemic under control, a priority for governments" in the region "and elsewhere is to drive economic recovery and promote sustainable development. Digital services and technologies will be crucial to realizing this objective, by stimulating economic growth, mobilizing the workforce and enabling industrial efficiencies."

The report's key findings include:

• Mobile internet users surpassed 300 million in the region in 2021
• There will be 116 million 5G connections in MENA by 2025
• Mobile operators continue to push ahead with network transformation
• The mobile industry continues to deliver benefits to the economy and wider society
• Policy decisions are fundamental to accelerate MENA's digital future

"The number of mobile internet users in MENA exceeded 300 million in 2021, with penetration due to reach 50% of the population by the end of 2022," the GSMA notes. While the six countries that comprise the Gulf Cooperation Council (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) "are home to the highest concentration of mobile internet users ... low take-up rates elsewhere reflect the work that remains to connect offline populations."

What is more, "Smartphone adoption is growing well and is set to increase most strongly in MENA's less advanced mobile markets over the period to 2025, underpinned by continued network investment from operators. Increasing user engagement with bandwidth-hungry applications such as video will lead to a surge in data consumption across the region, growing by 430% between 2021 and 2027."

The GSMA also explains that 4G may be MENA's leading mobile technology with almost 270 connections at the end of 2021 but "4G adoption is projected to peak in 2023 as consumers increasingly migrate to 5G plans." The UK-based organization, which represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, adds that while "5G remains at a nascent stage" throughout the MENA region, the "current adoption rate of just 1% is expected to grow to 17% by 2025. However, operators in the GCC Arab states are among the global leaders in 5G, with competition and government support triggering launches of some of the world's first and fastest next-generation mobile networks. 5G connections in this part of MENA are set to reach 41 million by 2025 (49% of total connections)."

Investors and companies looking to capitalize on the growth of 5G in MENA will appreciate that "[w]hile the consumer market has been the focus of early 5G deployments, B2B is the largest incremental opportunity in the 5G era, with a raft of digital transformation projects underway across industries. To fully exploit these opportunities, 5G leaders in MENA are investing in new capabilities, with edge computing a priority."

As for the mobile industry delivering benefits to MENA's economy and wider society, the GSMA encouragingly notes that mobile technologies and services generated "5.4% of GDP in the region in 2021 – around $255 billion of economic value added. The mobile ecosystem also supported approximately 890,000 jobs (directly and indirectly) in 2021 and made a substantial contribution to the funding of the public sector, with around $20 billion raised through taxation."

With respect to mobile's contribution to economic growth, in 2021, the report points out that "mobile technologies and services generated 5.4% of GDP in MENA – a contribution that amounted to $255 billion of economic value added. The mobile ecosystem also supported approximately 900,000 jobs (directly and indirectly) and made a substantial contribution to the funding of the public sector, with $20 billion raised through taxation on the sector."

Looking forward, the report says "mobile's contribution to the regional economy will grow by more than $20 billion (approaching $280 billion)" by 2025 "as countries in the region increasingly benefit from the improvements in productivity and efficiency brought about by the increased take-up of mobile services."

As for policy decisions being fundamental to accelerate MENA's digital future, the report says:

In a post-pandemic world, digital connectivity is expected to become even more vital to citizens, firms and institutions alike. Regulatory frameworks that are conducive to investment will be crucial to incentivizing the deployment of telecoms infrastructure. Such infrastructure will be key to economic recovery and future crisis resilience. Seizing the mobile opportunity will require forward-looking spectrum policy, with well-designed assignment spectrum roadmaps, fair prices and technology-neutral licenses needed to support the growth of 5G over the course of this decade and beyond.

Lastly, I support the GSMA's assertion that "[i]t is also more important than ever before to address the barriers to mobile internet adoption and usage in MENA, while data protection regimes must ensure privacy, safety and security for those engaging in the digital economy."

Infographic: GSMA

With the adoption of the mobile internet continue to rise coupled with investments in 5G, companies worldwide that develop software-as-a-service solutions should consider developing solutions localized for smartphone users in the MENA region. Which mobile solutions do you think consumers or enterprises will utilize in the coming years?

Aaron Rose is a board member, corporate advisor, and co-founder of great companies. He also serves as the editor of GT Perspectives, an online forum focused on turning perspective into opportunity.

Adoption of Mobile Internet Services Has Not Kept Pace With Expansion of Network Coverage, Says GSMA's Annual Global Mobile Economy Report

"In 2021, the number of mobile internet subscribers reached 4.2 billion people globally," according to GSMA's report entitled The Mobile Economy 2022, which provides the latest insights on the global state of the mobile industry. The report reveals continued momentum in 5G adoption, with the total number of 5G connections expected to reach one billion in 2022, as usage grows rapidly in pioneer markets.

Highlighting the mobile industry's instrumental role in extending connectivity to people worldwide, the report, which is authored by GSMA Intelligence, the research and consulting arm of the GSMA, a UK-based organization representing the interests of mobile operators worldwide, notes that "Operators' investments in network infrastructure over the last decade have helped to shrink the coverage gap for mobile broadband networks from a third of the global population to just 6%." The 'coverage gap' refers to those living outside of areas covered by mobile broadband networks.

"But although the industry continues to invest in innovative solutions and partnerships to extend connectivity to still underserved and far-flung communities," the report points out that "the adoption of mobile internet services has not kept pace with the expansion of network coverage. This has resulted in a significant usage gap. In 2021, the usage gap stood at 3.2 billion people, or 41% of the global population." The 'usage gap' refers to those who live within areas covered by mobile broadband networks but do not yet subscribe to mobile broadband services.

The report's other key findings include:

• By the end of 2025, 5G will account for around a quarter of total mobile connections, and more than two in five people worldwide will live within reach of a 5G network.
• In 2021, mobile technologies and services generated $4.5 trillion of economic value, equating to 5% of global GDP. The report predicts that this will grow to $5 trillion in 2025.
• As 5G adoption accelerates in leading markets such as China, South Korea, and the US, 4G begins to decline. Globally, 4G adoption will account for 55% of total connections by 2025, down from a peak of 58% in 2021.
• But 4G still has room to grow in most developing markets. For example, in Sub-Saharan Africa, 4G adoption is below a fifth of total connections.
• 3% billion people subscribed to mobile services, representing 67% of the global population, by the end of 2021.
• In a growing number of markets, most adults now own a mobile phone, meaning that future growth will come from younger populations taking out a mobile subscription for the first time.

With respect to the achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) before the deadline in 2030, the report says "Mobile technology will play a central role in those efforts, from improving access to education and healthcare to addressing issues with poverty and inequality." The report also outlines a set of policy recommendations for achieving a resilient post-pandemic recovery. This involves investing in digital skills training, utilizing public funds for connectivity, adopting a balanced approach to collecting revenues through taxes and fees in the mobile sector, and prioritizing digital transformation in government services.

Returning to the topic of the usage gap, the reports explains:

The reasons for the usage gap are multifaceted and vary by region, but they generally relate to a lack of affordability, relevance, knowledge and skills, in addition to safety and security concerns. Furthermore, the barriers to mobile internet adoption are particularly acute among certain segments of the population, including women, the elderly, those in rural areas and persons with disabilities – or a combination thereof. Addressing the usage gap for these key groups will extend the benefits of the internet and digital technology to more people in society, and will require concerted efforts by a broad range of stakeholders working together with mobile operators and other ecosystem players, such as device manufacturers and digital content creators.

Infographic: GSMA

What do you think of the report's findings? What solutions do you recommend for bridging the usage gap?

Aaron Rose is a board member, corporate advisor, and co-founder of great companies. He also serves as the editor of GT Perspectives, an online forum focused on turning perspective into opportunity.

Economic Contribution of Latin America's Mobile Ecosystem Will Grow by More Than $30 Billion by 2025

According to its GSMA Intelligence's latest report on the state of the mobile economy in Latin America, the research arm of the GSM Association (GSMA), a UK-based organization that represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, says "The mobile industry in Latin America continues to play a crucial role in the response to Covid-19. Mobile networks have enabled social and economic activities to continue. People have relied on the internet to stay connected to friends and family, access educational and health services, and work remotely."

Growth in subscriber penetration and smartphone adoption remains strong, the report notes. GSMA Intelligence estimates Latin America will have 485 million unique mobile subscribers by 2025 (73% of the population), up from nearly 450 million by the end of 2021. "Around half of new subscribers will come from Brazil and Mexico during this period. There will also be strong growth in underpenetrated markets such as Guatemala and Honduras."

The report, which is available in English and español, importantly adds:

Smartphone connections in Latin America will reach 500 million at the end of 2021 – an adoption rate of 74%. The next four years will see almost 100 million additional smartphone connections in the region, taking adoption above 80%. This will spur mobile internet adoption, enabling more people to access digital services for the first time. These achievements will be underpinned by operators' continued investment in network infrastructure. Between 2020 and 2025, mobile operators in Latin America will invest more than $73 billion in their networks, with an increasing share of this 5G-related.

While 4G continues to dominate the Latin American market, accounting for close to 70 percent of total connections at the end of 2025, the report encouragingly asserts that "5G momentum is building, with further commercial 5G services launched in 2021." GSMA Intelligence points out that "While mobile operators wait for access to new spectrum, they are laying the groundwork for the 5G era through investments in accompanying infrastructure, such as fiber, and partnerships to trial and develop new applications."

On the topic of the mobile industry driving economic growth and social development, the report explains that "In 2020, mobile technologies and services generated 7.1% of GDP in Latin America – a contribution that amounted to more than $340 billion of economic value added." Moreover, "The mobile ecosystem also supported more than 1.6 million jobs (directly and indirectly) and made a substantial contribution to the funding of the public sector, with more than $29 billion raised through taxes on the sector in 2020. By 2025, the economic contribution of the Latin American mobile ecosystem will grow by more than $30 billion, as countries in the region increasingly benefit from the improvements in productivity and efficiency brought about by the increased take-up of mobile services."

On the transformation of the enterprise sector, GSMA Intelligence says "As a result of mobile operator activity and partnerships, total IoT connections in Latin America will amass at a hastening pace, reaching close to 1.2 billion in 2025. Growth will be relatively faster in the enterprise IoT market, with a notable increase in the adoption of smart buildings solutions (forecast to record a CAGR of 24% between 2020 and 2025)." Furthermore, "IoT applications have the power to make a meaningful contribution to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by facilitating carbon emissions reductions, while improving safety and supporting economic development."

Lastly, the report discusses decisions policymakers in Latin American can make to help shape the connected society. "The pandemic has emphasized the need for connectivity and the critical role of mobile technology. Now is the time for governments to reassess the business and regulatory environment for mobile services in order to accelerate investment and innovation for a connected society."

Infographic: GSMA Intelligence

What opportunities are you seeing in Latin America's mobile economy?

Aaron Rose is a board member, corporate advisor, and co-founder of great companies. He also serves as the editor of GT Perspectives, an online forum focused on turning perspective into opportunity.

Overcoming Digital Illiteracy: A Toolkit for Training People in Basic Mobile Internet Skills

The previous post focuses on GSMA's annual report on the state of mobile internet connectivity with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Two of the report's key findings include an "awareness of mobile internet is increasing but is far from universal" and "a lack of literacy and digital skills persists as the main barrier to use among mobile users who are aware of mobile internet in LMICs surveyed." The latter point was reported "as the top barrier by a third of respondents, followed by affordability." While predictions of increased use of mobile phones in LMICs are encouraging, the benefits these devices bring to the user, like any tool, can be maximized only if they possess certain skills. Fortunately, with support by the Department for International Development (DFID), a government department of the United Kingdom that has since been replaced by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the GSMA created a toolkit for training people in basic mobile internet skills.

"Today there is still a 'usage gap' of 3.4 billion people who have access to mobile broadband coverage, but are either unable or unwilling to use it," the GSMA explains. What is more, "GSMA research has consistently shown that low levels of basic digital literacy are one of the main barriers to mobile internet adoption. To address this, in 2016 the GSMA Connected Society program – with financial support from DFID – developed the Mobile Internet Skills Training Toolkit (MISTT), a set of resources to promote digital literacy, help people use the internet more safely on their mobile and ensure they have the skills required for a digital future."

Designed for mobile network operators, non-governmental organizations, development organizations, and governments who want to provide training to improve people's basic knowledge and understanding of the mobile internet, the MISTT uses a 'train the trainer' approach and consists of short lessons in a PDF format that can be easily adapted to local needs and languages. Available in Bengali, English, French, Hindi, Kinyarwanda, and Swahili, the guide serves as a tool for giving "trainers what they need to demonstrate the value and the functionality of the internet on mobile phones. As a result, trainees will be equipped with a deeper understanding of what they can use the internet for and the basic skills needed to access and use it. We believe that this will lead to increased awareness and use of the life enhancing services that the mobile internet has to offer."

Moreover, "The training presented in this toolkit, targets people with little or no mobile internet skills. It aims to teach those who want to learn what the mobile internet is and how to communicate and search online. This toolkit is not suitable for people with no experience of using mobile phones, and doesn't cover basic functions such as making calls or sending SMS. Similarly, it is not designed for those who are already familiar with the mobile internet."

Among the 12 individual video modules produced in English is one that provides an introduction to the internet.

I am very pleased to see a video module focusing on online safety.

And another video module focuses on mobile money, which is quickly becoming an essential service for individuals as well as micro, small and medium enterprises.

I concur with the guide's assertion that "[m]obile phones are much more than just a tool for making calls. Increasingly they are the primary way people across the world access the internet. Whilst the internet can provide a wide range of benefits to the user, it requires specific skills and knowledge to use a mobile phone effectively. This means that people who lack the skills and understanding are unable to access these life enhancing services."

What are your thoughts about GSMA's Mobile Internet Skills Training Toolkit?

Aaron Rose is a board member, corporate advisor, and co-founder of great companies. He also serves as the editor of GT Perspectives, an online forum focused on turning perspective into opportunity.

Mobile Internet Coverage and Adoption Has Increased Significantly in Recent Years, but Millions of People Could Remain Offline in 2025

Most readers of this post will agree the following assertion from a report published by the GSMA, a UK-based organization representing the interests of mobile operators worldwide: "Connectivity has never been more important, and the world's reliance on the internet has never been greater." Authored by GSMA Intelligence, GSMA's research and consulting arm, the report further says "[t]he COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of the internet and the critical role of mobile, which is the primary way most people access the internet. Internet access and services have helped to ensure the functioning of emergency services, allowed separated friends and families to stay informed and keep in touch, and enabled large parts of the workforce to continue to be productive throughout the crisis."

What is more, "Bridging the persistent digital divide and providing mobile internet access to the 4 billion people still not connected is more important than ever in the current context. Meanwhile, it is becoming increasingly challenging as the unconnected tend to be poorer, have lower levels of education and live in rural areas. As this report shows, there has been strong progress over the last five years, with significant increases in mobile internet coverage and adoption. However, if current trends continue, more than 40% of the population in low- and middle-income countries will remain offline in 2025."

Titled The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2020, "the report accompanies the fifth annual update of the GSMA Mobile Connectivity Index and analyses trends from 2014 to 2019. The report provides answers to the following questions:

• "What are the key trends in connectivity over the period and how do these compare across regions, gender and rural/urban populations?
• "What are the barriers and drivers to the use of mobile internet and how have these changed over time?
• "What are the achievements and challenges in extending broadband coverage?"

The report's findings "are based on two analytical tools – the GSMA Mobile Connectivity Index and the GSMA Intelligence Consumers in Focus Survey. The Mobile Connectivity Index is a tool that measures the performance of 170 countries (representing 99% of the global population) against the key enablers of mobile internet adoption": infrastructure (the availability of high-performance mobile internet network coverage); affordability (the availability of mobile services and devices at price points that reflect the level of income across a national population); consumer readiness (citizens with the awareness and skills needed to value and use the internet); and content and services (the availability of secure online content and services accessible and relevant to the local population).

With respect to the Consumers in Focus Survey, which is available to GSMA Intelligence subscribers only, the report says the survey "has been carried out every year since 2017 and in 2019 included 15 low- and middle-income countries. Together, these provide objective, quantitative metrics to track the key enablers of mobile internet adoption and usage, as well as insights from consumers on what prevents them from using mobile internet."

The authors of The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2020 importantly clarify that "[t]he analysis contained in this report relates to mobile internet use and its enablers up to the end of 2019, before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. While it is not yet possible to identify the full implications of the pandemic, some of the potential impacts are discussed throughout."

Below are the report's key findings:

1. "Almost half the world's population now use mobile internet. By the end of 2019, there were 3.8 billion people using mobile internet (an increase of 250 million users since the end of 2018), with three quarters of all mobile internet users living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
2. "The coverage gap – those living outside of areas covered by mobile broadband networks – continues to narrow. It is now 7% (down from 10% in 2018) and stands at just under 600 million people, compared to 750 million in 2018. This reduction was driven primarily by South Asia – particularly India, where almost 99% of the population is covered by 4G, and by upgrades of 2G sites to 3G and 4G across Sub-Saharan Africa.
3. "4G coverage is catching up with 3G coverage. It now accounts for more than 50% of mobile connections globally. In 2019, 82% of the population in LMICs were covered by 4G (compared to 90% for 3G). It has taken LMICs around seven years to reach more than 80% coverage for 4G, compared to 10 years for 3G.
4. "There is still a considerable usage gap, as coverage continues to grow faster than usage. Approximately 3.4 billion people who live in areas covered by a mobile broadband network do not use mobile internet. This usage gap is now six times larger than the coverage gap.
5. "The rural-urban and gender gaps in mobile internet use remain substantial but are narrowing, driven primarily by improvements in South Asia. People living in rural areas across LMICs are 37% less likely to use mobile internet than those living in urban areas. Women in LMICs are 20% less likely than men to use mobile internet, meaning around 300 million fewer adult women than men use mobile internet.
6. "Smartphones have become more affordable, but handset affordability remains the main barrier to mobile ownership in many LMICs. The average cost of an entry-level, internet-enabled device in LMICs fell from 44% of monthly income in 2018 to 34% in 2019, driven primarily by increased availability of lower cost devices in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
7. "Mobile data is becoming increasingly affordable but is still a significant challenge for the poorest in society. In 2019, the cost of 1 GB of data as a share of monthly GDP per capita had decreased by more than 40% in LMICs since 2016. However, more than half of LMICs still fall short of the Broadband Commission's target to make entry-level broadband services less than 2% of monthly income per capita.
8. "Awareness of mobile internet is increasing but is far from universal. Nearly a quarter of adults are not aware of mobile internet across the LMICs surveyed. Encouragingly, awareness is growing disproportionately for rural populations and for women.
9. "A lack of literacy and digital skills persists as the main barrier to use among mobile users who are aware of mobile internet in LMICs surveyed. In 2019, it was reported as the top barrier by a third of respondents, followed by affordability.
10. "In LMICs, mobile users increasingly see mobile internet as relevant to their lives and are using a wider range of services. While instant messaging and social networking remain the most popular online activities, there was also increased use of mobile internet across a range of services in 2019, including for education, paying utilities, government services, applying for a job, reading the news and healthcare.

Lastly, the GSMA held a webinar about its mobile internet connectivity report. The webinar helpfully includes a demo of the Mobile Connectivity Index (at the 32:23 mark).

A post published on this blog provides steps a business should take when choosing their export market. In addition to evaluating a country's security (how safe is the physical environment?), political stability (how stable are political institutions?), government effectiveness (does political culture foster strong business environment?), and financial risks (how healthy is the local financial system?), just to name a few, business executives should evaluate a country's local infrastructure (will infrastructure deficiencies negatively affect operations?). Local infrastructure includes access to the mobile internet as businesses worldwide are benefiting from the increasing availability of digital services. And improved access to the mobile internet will lead to a more educated and trained workforce, which will close both the digital divide and skills gap – the latter of which may be done by accessing educational or training services via a smartphone.

What do you think of the report's findings? Do you have any recommendations on how a country can close its digital divide?

Aaron Rose is a board member, corporate advisor, and co-founder of great companies. He also serves as the editor of GT Perspectives, an online forum focused on turning perspective into opportunity.

'The Digital Landscape in Latin America Is Evolving Rapidly,' Says GSMA Report

"The digital landscape in Latin America is evolving rapidly," according to a report published by the GSMA, a UK-based organization representing the interests of mobile operators worldwide. "Across the region, enterprises are increasingly using digital technologies to improve operational processes; for consumers, digital platforms are providing new ways to work, learn, shop and interact with society."

Authored by GSMA Intelligence, GSMA's research and consulting arm, The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020, which is available in English and español, forecasts 62 million 5G connections across the region by 2025, representing a near 10% adoption rate. By that same year, 4G will account for 67% of connections.

The report presents three key trends shaping the digital landscape:

1. 5G: the enterprise networks opportunity. There is a growing trend towards the deployment of private networks by enterprises in sectors such as manufacturing, mining and, utilities. Operators are looking to address the needs of these enterprises with simple, out-of-the-box solutions, capturing early movers in Industry 4.0.
2. IoT: a local focus. The IoT market in Latin America will reach 1.2 billion connections by 2025, driven by growth in the enterprise segment, mainly for smart manufacturing and smart building solutions. Operators are deploying IoT solutions in the auto, telematics and bioenergy industries and, cities such as Buenos Aires, Santiago, Medellín and São Paulo are implementing smart city initiatives.
3. The rise of fintech. Smartphone adoption in Latin America will reach 72% in 2020 and 80% by 2025. This landscape, together with other factors such as low banking penetration rates, has led to the rise of numerous fintech firms in the region. Besides providing the connectivity that underpins many fintech solutions, operators are also exploring ways to leverage critical network and distribution assets to capture more value in the fintech space, and contemplating direct investment opportunities in fintech companies.

The report also highlights a series of policy recommendations for the digital transformation of Latin America, including:

1. Removing legacy regulation and encouraging regulatory simplification.
2. Fostering dialogue between Congress, regulatory authorities, sectoral policymakers, and the private sector to create consistent national digital agendas.
3. Building a fiscal policy that encourages investments and the affordability of services and devices.
4. Planning long-term spectrum policies, focusing on digital inclusion and innovation rather than revenue maximization.

I appreciate how the report provides a few examples of IoT startups across Latin America:

• 
  Babybe: Connects mothers with premature babies through a connected mattress that mimics the mother's breathing and heartbeat
• ChoppUp: IoT solution for restaurants and bars to reduce beer waste by remotely monitoring data from dispensers
• Citysense: IoT solutions for air quality and crime tracking, as well as helping firms understand potential markets through crowd counting
• Firecity: Interconnects fire alarm systems in real time, notifying property owners and the fire department in emergencies
• Jooycar: Telematics solution tracking driving patterns, and offering route optimization and maintenance reporting for connected cars
• Lok: Last-mile logistics solutions based on a network of smart lockers
• Neltume: IoT solutions to help farmers manage pesticides and moth infestations
• Sensorbox: Reducing business losses from blackouts through a solution that predicts, monitors and reports problems with power sources
• Tecrea: Multiple IoT solutions, including real-time alerts and GPS monitoring of livestock

Regarding the rise of fintech in Latin America, the report lists the following factors that are driving the sector's growth:

• "Rapid adoption of smartphones, allowing more people to access digital financial services. Smartphone adoption in Latin America is set to reach 72% in 2020, from 46% five years earlier.
• "Lack of access to traditional banking services for large swathes of the population, creating a sizeable opportunity for new entrants. According to the 2017 Global Findex, only 51% of households in Latin America and the Caribbean have an account at a formal financial institution – much lower than the average for Emerging Asia (78%) and the Advanced Economies group (96%).
• "Enabling regulations that level the playing field between traditional financial institutions and new fintech players. In September 2020, the Colombian Ministry of Finance and Public Credit established a regulatory sandbox to support the growth of fintech firms. Brazil, Chile and Mexico are among other countries that have recently introduced regulatory initiatives for fintech.
• "Sustained investment in fintech start-ups. In 2019, total funding for fintech startups tripled to £2.1 billion. In the first half of 2020, Latin American fintech firms raised a total of $525 million across 74 deals, with lending, payments and SME finance attracting the most interest from investors."

And with respect to mobile bringing more people online, the report notes:

The Covid-19 pandemic has cast a spotlight on connectivity and its role in sustaining social and economic activity in today's increasingly digital society. Lockdown measures at the peak of the crisis resulted in many everyday activities moving online – a situation likely to continue to varying degrees for as long as the threat of the disease persists. This underscores the need for universal access to reliable, high-speed connectivity to ensure everyone is able to stay connected. It also emphasizes the need for a range of relevant digital content and services that meet the socioeconomic, cultural and lifestyle needs of local users.

In Latin America, mobile technology continues to play a key role in bringing unconnected populations online and providing a platform to create, distribute and consume life-enhancing digital services.

What opportunities do you see in developing products and localized services for the Latin American market?

Aaron Rose is a board member, corporate advisor, and co-founder of great companies. He also serves as the editor of GT Perspectives, an online forum focused on turning perspective into opportunity.

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Region Will Be Home to More Than 50 Million 5G and Add Almost 330 Million New IoT Connections by 2025

Like most regions globally, "The Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the digital landscape in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region and around the world," says a report by the GSMA, a UK-based organization representing the interests of mobile operators worldwide. "The social distancing measures put in place to curb the spread of the pandemic have brought to light the value of connectivity for social and economic wellbeing. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of a robust and inclusive digital economy, underpinned by universal access to fast, reliable internet and a range of digital services for individuals and businesses."

Available in English and русский, the Mobile Economy Russia & CIS 2020 report, which is authored by GSMA Intelligence, GSMA's research and consulting arm, explains that "mobile industry in the CIS region has endeavored to keep citizens connected during the pandemic, despite changes in data consumption patterns and the challenges associated with serving prepaid consumers during lockdowns. Operators have engaged with the public and private sectors on initiatives to alleviate the impact of the pandemic on vulnerable groups and the most affected firms. Measures include zero-rated use of educational services and access to government websites, discounted tariffs for healthcare workers, and free access to online conferencing solutions to enable business continuity and support economic recovery."

In addition to the pandemic highlighting the importance of digital connectivity, the report also produced the following findings:

• 4G became the region's leading mobile technology in 2020 and will account for 65% of total connections by 2025.
• Smartphone adoption is set to reach 81% by 2025 due to the availability and popularity of lower cost handsets.
• The mobile ecosystem employed over 830,000 people in the region in 2019 and contributed $14b to public sector funding.
• The CIS region will add almost 330 million new IoT connections by 2025, with smart home and smart buildings two key growth areas.

While 4G remains a priority in the CIS region, fifth generation technology (5G) will spread in the near future. "Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia are expected to launch 5G during 2021; networks in the region's other nine markets will be live by 2025," the report explains. The CIS region will be home to more than 50 million 5G connections by 2025, representing an adoption rate of 13%."

What is more, "Despite the economic uncertainty brought about by the pandemic, operators in the region will invest more than $25 billion in infrastructure rollouts between 2020 and 2025, of which 57% will be 5G-specific. Delivering 5G connectivity will increase operators' capital intensity, with initial monetization strategies centered on enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and other consumer applications."

With respect to the mobile industry driving economic growth and social development, the report says that "Over the coming years, 5G technologies will drive further contributions to the CIS economy, impacting key sectors such as manufacturing, utilities and professional & financial services."

Furthermore, "Beyond economic impacts, operators are making significant contributions to the welfare of society more broadly. Continued investments in networks are helping bridge the digital divide and drive inclusion across the region. The mobile industry is contributing to progress with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This includes providing access to life-enhancing educational tools and platforms, delivering the infrastructure to build sustainable smart cities, and supporting efforts to combat climate change."

As for policies to support the region's expanding digital economy, "Access to digital services and technologies has been crucial to keep economies active and mitigate the harms caused by Covid-19. Post pandemic, these same factors will be vital to reinvigorate the CIS economy and rebuild businesses and communities. The rollout of mobile broadband can help spur socioeconomic growth and transform traditional industries. It is therefore more important than ever that governments and regulators implement policies to drive investment in resilient digital infrastructure, enhance access to connectivity and encourage adoption."

The report adds that "5G offers the potential to underpin a range of enterprise and consumer applications. However, uncertainty around spectrum access and returns on investment can be significant barriers to releasing value into the digital economy. A comprehensive national 5G development plan accompanied by the effective management of spectrum resources are key to maximizing the opportunities that next-generation mobile connectivity can bring to the region."

Lastly, "Policymakers must also revise the outdated electromagnetic emission rules that could hinder cost-efficient 5G deployments, as well as rethink fiscal policy to strike the right balance between tax revenue generation and operator investment."

Infographic: GSMA Intelligence

Through my experience working in the CIS region, I have witnessed how mobile technology, starting with feature phones operating on 2G networks, benefited millions of people as information flowed to high density urban areas and the sparsely populated countryside alike. Significant geopolitical challenges exist in many of the region's countries, but I remain optimistic that governments, nongovernmental organizations and the private sector will continue to coordinate on policy reform and allocate investments to modernize the region's mobile infrastructure and increase research and development. Such actions will bring value-added services to the projected 244 million unique mobile subscribers in 2025.

What are your thoughts about the report's findings? Do you see opportunities to develop hardware or applications for enterprises or consumers in the CIS region?

Aaron Rose is a board member, corporate advisor, and co-founder of great companies. He also serves as the editor of GT Perspectives, an online forum focused on turning perspective into opportunity.

Mobile Industry Driving Sub-Saharan Africa's Social Impact and Contributing to the Region's Economic Growth, Says GSMA Report

According to the GSMA, a UK-based organization representing the interests of mobile operators worldwide, the mobile market in Sub-Saharan Africa "will reach several important milestones over the next five years: half a billion mobile subscribers in 2021, 1 billion mobile connections in 2024, and 50% subscriber penetration by 2025." The Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa 2020, which is authored by GSMA Intelligence, GSMA's research and consulting arm, says that "Despite the economic uncertainty brought about by the Covid-19 crisis, operators in the region will invest $52 billion in infrastructure rollouts  between 2019 and 2025."

Available in English and Français, below are the report's key findings:

Covid-19 casts a spotlight on digital connectivity

The report is accurate in explaining that the "Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the digital landscape in Sub-Saharan Africa and around the world." And I concur that that "pandemic has highlighted the importance of a robust and inclusive digital economy, underpinned by universal access to fast, reliable internet and a range of digital services for individuals and businesses."

What is more, "The mobile industry in Sub-Saharan Africa has largely risen to the challenge of keeping individuals and businesses connected during the pandemic, despite changes in data consumption patterns. However, with nearly 800 million people in the region still not connected to the mobile internet, it has never been more urgent to close the digital divide."

Nearly half a billion people subscribe to mobile services in Sub-Saharan Africa

Encouragingly, the report finds that "[s]martphone adoption continues to rise rapidly in the region, reaching 50% of total connections in 2020, as cheaper devices have become available. Smartphone financing models are gaining traction, demonstrated by the recent partnership between Safaricom and Google, allowing low-income consumers to pay for 4G devices in daily instalments. Over the next five years, the number of smartphone connections in Sub-Saharan Africa will almost double to reach 678 million by the end of 2025 – an adoption rate of 65%."

The 5G era has begun in Sub-Saharan Africa

"Vodacom and MTN launched the first major 5G networks in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2020," the report explains, "offering 5G mobile and fixed wireless access (FWA) services in several locations across South Africa." Furthermore, "5G trials have been conducted elsewhere in Sub-Saharan Africa, including in Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda."

Despite the frequent media headlines about the deployment of 5G, GSMA asserts that "mass adoption of mobile 5G is not imminent in the region. With significant unused 4G capacity and 4G adoption still relatively low, the focus in the near term for operators and other stakeholders is to increase 4G uptake. This will involve strategies to make 4G devices more affordable and the provision of relevant digital content to drive demand for enhanced connectivity services. By 2025, there will be just under 30 million mobile 5G connections in Sub-Saharan Africa, equivalent to almost 3% of total mobile connections."

Mobile industry driving social impact and contributing to economic growth

"Beyond connectivity," the report points out that "the mobile industry has engaged with businesses and governments on initiatives to alleviate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on citizens. From mobile money transaction-fee waivers and discounts on data tariffs for educational and health sites, to cash and equipment donations, mobile operators and other industry players have supported the most vulnerable in society during the pandemic while also contributing to economic recovery efforts."

Moreover, "Mobile technologies and services generated 9% of GDP in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2019 – a contribution that amounted to more than $155 billion of economic value added. The mobile ecosystem also supported almost 3.8 million jobs (directly and indirectly) and made a substantial contribution to the funding of the public sector, with $17 billion raised through taxation. By 2024, mobile's contribution will reach around $184 billion as countries increasingly benefit from the improvements in productivity and efficiency brought about by the increased take-up of mobile services."

Policy actions for digital and fiscal resilience

I recently had the privilege to speak to a group of entrepreneurs residing in Africa, many of whom reside in Botswana. While I expressed my optimistic view on the long-term growth of Africa's digital economy, I also conveyed my concerns about governmental regulatory barriers that will impede business growth.

Therefore, I support the report's finding: "Access to digital services has been crucial to keep economies active and mitigate the socioeconomic repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic. Consequently, governments and policymakers should implement policies to enhance access to connectivity and drive investment in more resilient digital infrastructure for the future. This is crucial to reactivating the region's economy post-Covid-19 as digital technologies play an even more important role in society."

The GSMA further maintains that "[t]o improve mobile adoption, policy measures should focus on encouraging investment in much-needed infrastructure and improving consumers' ability to access digital services. As such, policymakers should:

• "rethink fiscal policy on mobile connectivity
• "facilitate mobile infrastructure deployment
• "prioritize digitization of person-to-government transactions."

What is more, "Efficient and effective management of spectrum is also key to maximize the opportunities that mobile connectivity can bring to society. Making sure the required spectrum resources are available under the right conditions will lower broadband costs, increase coverage and boost connectivity. The 2020s will see strong growth in the number of Africans connected to mobile broadband. As 4G and 5G grow together throughout the decade to come, spectrum preparation can drive cost efficiency and promote growth."

 

With investments in infrastructure to reduce the digital divide and increase capacity among mobile device users, together with the implementation of regulatory reform, Sub-Saharan Africa will see a rise of key sectors including digital identity, connected devices (IoT), and e-commerce and digital payments. 

"With half the global population now connected to the internet," the report explains, "the coming years will see a steady rise in online engagement as consumers take a digital-first approach to economic and social activities. For the majority of people in Sub-Saharan Africa, the lack of a verifiable identity remains a major barrier to participating fully in the digital economy. Sub-Saharan Africa is home to only a sixth of the world’s population – but half the global population without an ID live in the region."

Crucially, "Regional and national governments recognize the benefits of online digital identity. To this end, the Smart Africa Alliance has proposed a blueprint to assist public and private sector players with the design and implementation of digital identification schemes for individuals, which are trusted by all stakeholders based on shared rules and minimum requirements, thus facilitating mutual recognition. The Smart Africa Trust Alliance (SATA) is due to be piloted in three countries – Benin, Rwanda and Tunisia."

Regarding IoT, the report says development of the industry "in Sub-Saharan Africa is still at a nascent stage and faces several challenges. These include limited investment and innovation in solutions and devices that address local use cases, unreliable power supply and low purchasing power among consumers and enterprises. However, the outlook remains positive. The number of cellular IoT connections in the region has doubled over the last five years to 16.7 million at the end of 2019. Although this is only a fraction of the 1.7 billion global connections, the upward trend is expected to continue as commercial business models become more viable."

Moreover, "IoT has the potential to help address regionwide challenges in key sectors, such as energy, water, agriculture, transportation & logistics, manufacturing and healthcare. With many countries in the region lacking an efficient system to deliver these essentials, demand for IoT-enabled solutions is set to increase over the coming years."

As for e-commerce, the sector "is experiencing a renaissance as shopping behaviors change, in part due to social distancing measures introduced to curb the spread of the pandemic. A survey from Visa found that 71% of respondents in Nigeria and 64% in South Africa bought groceries online for the first time because of the pandemic. During the first half of 2020, pan-African online retailer Jumia also reported increased demand from sellers across the region to expand their business on its platform, as the Covid-19 crisis further established e-commerce as an important route to market. As online shopping grows in popularity across Sub-Saharan Africa, mobile operators will play a key role in enabling digital payments to replace cash transactions."

What do you think of the report's findings? Do you see opportunities in building digital identity, IoT or e-commerce and digital payment solutions?

Aaron Rose is a board member, corporate advisor, and co-founder of great companies. He also serves as the editor of GT Perspectives, an online forum focused on turning perspective into opportunity.

Asia Pacific Will Account for Around Half of New Subscribers Globally by 2025, Says GSMA

According to a report authored by GSMA Intelligence, the research and consulting arm of the GSMA, a UK-based organization that represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, "The Covid-19 outbreak has had wide-sweeping effects on all aspects of the [Asia Pacific] economy due to falling commodity prices, reductions in international investment, decreased incoming remittances, rising foreign debt burdens and a disproportionate impact on the informal sector (especially important in Asia Pacific). Undoubtedly, the outbreak will affect the development of the mobile ecosystem as well, despite the industry’s best efforts to cushion the impact."

The report, The Mobile Economy Asia Pacific 2020, further says "the digital ecosystem has proved vital in the response to Covid-19. Participants from the entire digital value chain – including operators, vendors, internet players and governments – are pulling together to ensure the most positive outcome possible. And as a side effect of the pandemic, mobile operators have been granted a unique opportunity with a boost in the adoption of mature/quality-based services e.g. video calling for business, online collaboration tools, video streaming, e-commerce and mobile payments. At the same time, the situation has brought to attention governments that have not taken the necessary steps to establish an inclusive digital economy."

What is more, "Across Asia Pacific, and indeed around the world, the Covid-19 outbreak has highlighted the importance of a robust digital economy." The strength of a robust digital economy will depend on the variety of information and communications technology (ICT) solutions made available for consumers and enterprises alike.

"Digitization, which was already an important target, is therefore moving up the agenda for businesses and governments alike, with many accelerating their timelines because of Covid-19. A range of businesses, particularly those in retail, transport, logistics, manufacturing and healthcare, are looking to potentially increase their investment in digital transformation to cope with the impact of the pandemic and build a stronger position for the future."

Based on conversations with colleagues in the Asia Pacific region, I concur that "[v]endors of ICT solutions, especially those operating across the entire value chain, should take this as an opportunity to strengthen their role as key ICT partners to enterprises. But timelines will vary: some enterprise customers will escalate their ICT investments immediately, while others will have to balance addressing the short-term crisis with long-term opportunities."

Below are the report's key findings:

5G Investment:

• Mobile operators will invest over $400 billion (Capex) on their networks between 2020 and 2025, of which nearly two-thirds ($331 billion) will be spent on 5G deployments;
• Asia Pacific is home to some of the most advanced 5G markets in the world, with nine markets having launched commercial mobile 5G services – including Japan at the end of March – and 12 more have officially announced plans; and
• 4G remains the dominant technology across the region in countries such as Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Pakistan, where the focus remains in areas such as identity, digital commerce and payments, and cross-ecosystem collaboration to help create the digital societies of the future.

Regional Growth:

• At the end of 2019, 2.8 billion people in Asia Pacific subscribed to mobile services, accounting for 66 percent of the population. With nearly 500 million new subscribers added since 2014, the region is one of the fastest-growing in the world and home to over half of total global subscribers; and
• Asia Pacific will account for around half of new subscribers globally by 2025 and by this time, we forecast 266 million new subscribers to be connected across the region, bringing the total to just over 3 billion (70 percent of the population).

Socio-economic Development:

• Over the next six years, 663 million people across Asia Pacific will start using mobile internet for the first time, bringing the total number of mobile internet users in the region to around 2.7 billion by 2025 (61 per cent of the population).
• This growth in connectivity is helping the mobile industry increase its impact across all of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and spurring adoption of mobile-based tools and solutions (e.g. in agriculture, education and healthcare) that aim to improve livelihoods in low- to middle-income countries and close the gender gap.

As reflected in the image to the right, the spread of 5G throughout the region will facilitate the adoption of connected devices (IoT). GSMA predicts that over six billion new IoT connections in Asia Pacific by 2025, accounting for half of global new additions. This creates an opportunity for those companies developing key growth verticals such as smart home and smart buildings.

Given my interest in digital health, I appreciate that "5G's role in the healthcare response to the pandemic, which utilized technologies such as telemedicine, remote ultrasound and thermal imaging, together with the benefits from the digitization of supply chains/Industry 4.0 in Asia Pacific, underscore the importance of the B2B segment." Furthermore, "Policymakers will need to provide regulatory flexibility for B2B partnerships so that operators have the freedom to innovate to realize 5G's full potential."

While not mentioned in the report, per se, it is important to note that companies developing hardware and services as a result of an improving technology infrastructure must implement the most stringent cybersecurity measures.

Infographic: GSMA Intelligence

What impact do you think the Covid-19 will have on Asia Pacific's digital economy? What ICT solutions are you developing for this rapidly growing region?

Aaron Rose is a board member, corporate advisor, and co-founder of great companies. He also serves as the editor of GT Perspectives, an online forum focused on turning perspective into opportunity.

'China Cements Its Position as a Global Leader in 5G,' Says GSMA Report

"2019 was a pivotal year for the Chinese mobile industry," according to a report, The Mobile Economy China 2020, authored by GSMA Intelligence, the research and consulting arm of the GSMA, a UK-based trade organization. "The country was one of the first globally to launch 5G services. With operators and enterprises forging ahead in the development of 5G services, and growing consumer excitement, China has cemented its position as a global leader in 5G."

While 4G is "the dominant mobile technology across China, accounting for more than 80% of total connections (excluding licensed cellular IoT) ... 4G's share will peak in 2020 (at 82%) as 5G grows significantly." The report, available in English and Chinese, adds that 70% of global 5G connections in 2020 will come from China.

In explaining on how enterprises are taking tentative steps into the 5G era, the report says:

Companies across a range of verticals (such as manufacturing, power generation and aerospace) are evaluating their options for digitizing product assembly and general operations management. This presents an opportunity for operators that can offer 5G with complementary infrastructure for low-latency services (such as data centers close to the edge) and analytics. However, while a majority of enterprises recognize the benefits of speed gains brought about by 5G, other improvements (such as network slicing, edge computing and low-latency services) are not widely appreciated, with many believing 4G is 'good enough.' China is a clear exception in this regard: early partnerships and trials from local operators have paid dividends, as evidenced by the widespread intent among companies in the country's industrial sector to use 5G.

On the topic of edge computing, which Wikipedia defines as "a distributed computing paradigm which brings computation and data storage closer to the location where it is needed, to improve response times and save bandwidth," the report suggests "[e]dge computing is moving from concept to early-stage deployments as new use cases demand a more decentralized approach to computing and networking than a traditional, fully cloud-based model. Driven by the government's ambition to make China a global leader of new technologies and Industry 4.0, the country's ecosystem is looking to spearhead the development of edge computing."

As reflected in the image the right, edge computing will facilitate the ramp-up of various industries such as autonomous vehicles, gaming and e-sports.

Regarding mobile delivering social impact, the report says that "[w]ith 1.2 billion unique subscribers across China, and nearly 1.5 billion people covered by a mobile network, mobile is increasingly being used to access an array of life-enhancing services that contribute to and catalyze the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)."

Moreover, "In China, SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) remains the most impacted goal: 99% of the population are covered by 4G networks, underscoring mobile’s role in providing critical infrastructure to spur innovation as well as inclusive and sustainable development. Mobile is also playing a key role in providing increased access to quality education (SDG 4), while helping reduce inequalities (SDG 10)."

Lastly, enacting effective policies will be essential to creating a thriving 5G future in China. "The success of 5G heavily relies on government support for timely access to the right amount and type of affordable spectrum, and under the right conditions," the report explains. "5G will need a comprehensive range of spectrum across sub-1 GHz, 1–6 GHz and above 6 GHz to satisfy the requirements of 5G services in the future. The lower- and mid-frequency ranges are key to improving 5G coverage, speed and latency compared to 4G, while spectrum above 24 GHz – mmWave spectrum – will be a critical component to enable super high speeds and ultra-low-latency applications."

What is more, "Since mmWave spectrum will play a vital role in the future success of 5G in China, particularly in the manufacturing sector, the GSMA recommends the following policy considerations:

• "Continue to provide policy incentives by reducing frequency utilization fees for mmWave spectrum similar to those for the 2.6, 3.4–3.6 and 4.8–5.0 GHz bands.
• "Allocate large and contiguous blocks of spectrum in the mmWave bands where possible – around 1 GHz per operator.
• "Avoid setting aside spectrum for verticals in priority mmWave bands (e.g. 26 and 40 GHz). Sharing approaches such as leasing are better options where verticals require access to spectrum."

Infographic: GSMA Intelligence

How is your business preparing to take advantage of the opportunities presented with the rollout of 5G in China?

Aaron Rose is a board member, corporate advisor, and co-founder of great companies. He also serves as the editor of Solutions for a Sustainable World.

GSMA: '5G Has Arrived – but 4G Is Still King'

According to a report authored by GSMA Intelligence, the research and consulting arm of the GSMA, a UK-based trade organization, "5G will drive future innovation and economic growth, delivering greater societal benefit than any previous mobile generation and allowing new digital services and business models to thrive."

The Mobile Economy 2020 further explains: "Many countries have already launched 5G, but widespread commercial 5G services are expected in the post-2020 period, which will mark the start of the 5G era. 5G is developing in parallel with rapid advancements in both AI [artificial intelligence] and IoT [Internet of Things]; the combination of these technologies will have a large positive impact, spawning innovations for consumers and enterprises defined by highly contextualized, on-demand and personalized experiences."

As highlighted in this press release, GSMA Intelligence's report reveals that:

"5G has arrived – but 4G is still king: 4G was the world's dominant mobile technology last year, supporting more than half (52 percent) of global connections. Despite the emergence of 5G, 4G will continue to grow over the coming years, increasing to account for 56 percent of connections by 2025.

"The industry is investing heavily in 5G: Mobile operators are expected to spend $1.1 trillion worldwide between 2020 and 2025 in mobile CAPEX, roughly 80 percent of which will be on 5G networks.

"The smartphone is becoming ubiquitous: Smartphones are forecast to account for four of every five connections by 2025, up from 65 percent in 2019.

"IoT will be an integral part of the 5G era: Between 2019 and 2025, the number of global IoT connections will more than double to almost 25 billion, while global IoT revenue will more than triple to $1.1 trillion.

"Subscriber growth is slowing, but the industry still has people to connect: The number of unique mobile subscribers at the end of last year stood at 5.2 billion (67 percent of the population) and is forecast to grow to 5.8 billion by 2025 (70 percent).

"Half the planet connected to the mobile internet: Almost half of the global population (3.8 billion people) are now mobile internet users, forecast to reach 61 percent (5 billion) by 2025."

Regarding connected devices, "The business case for IoT is shifting from just connecting devices to addressing specific problems or needs with solutions to collect, process and integrate data from multiple sources, which can then be analyzed to create value and provide actionable insight." Furthermore, "Enterprise IoT connections will overtake consumer in 2024, and will almost triple between 2019 and 2025 to reach 13.3 billion. This will account for just over half of all IoT connections in 2025.

"Consumer IoT connections will almost double to 11.4 billion in the same time frame. More and more devices include connectivity built in by default and interoperability within the ecosystem is increasing."

The report also explains that smart manufacturing and autonomous cars are important verticals for 5G and presents the following use cases for the former:

Robots and robotics

• 5G increasingly complements Wi‑Fi in factories
• Real-time AI-powered robot collaboration and integration
• Cloud-based wireless robotics

Labor augmentation

• 5G and AI-powered industrial AR, enabling workforce training and augmenting human skills
• High precision simulations of human-machine interactions in various manufacturing situations

Remote real-time manufacturing

• Live remote monitoring and reconfiguration of robots and processes
• Remote quality inspection

Connected operational intelligence and analytics

• 5G coupled with AI enables real‑time data gathering to inform immediate manufacturing decisions
• AI-based analytics for processes, inefficiencies and predictive maintenance for robots

On the topic of mobile delivering social impact, the report says: "With more than 5 billion unique subscribers worldwide, and more than 7 billion people covered by a mobile network, mobile is increasingly being used to access an array of life-enhancing services that contribute to and catalyze the achievement of the UN SDGs."

"Despite the global reach of mobile," however, "much more can be done to leverage its power and support the delivery of the SDG 2030 targets. Crucial to this will be helping people realize the full benefits of using mobile and mobile internet services in terms of accessing health information, public services and digital payments, both in developed and developing countries. New technologies that are supported by IoT also need to achieve scale if mobile operators are to maximize their impact on the SDGs – for example, solutions in smart cities that can reduce pollution, and smart buildings and homes that can increase energy efficiency."

Infographic: GSMA Intelligence

While 4G remains the world's dominant mobile technology, "5G is gaining pace." Companies of all sizes are increasing their research and development budgets to build products and services to utilize the fifth generation wireless technology that is expected to deliver speeds 100x faster than 4G. However, for these investments to produce positive results, the report correctly notes that "Governments and regulators must play their part to help propel 5G into commercial use by implementing policies that encourage advanced technologies (e.g. AI and IoT) to be applied across all economic sectors."

What do you think of the report's findings?

Aaron Rose is a board member, corporate advisor, and co-founder of great companies. He also serves as the editor of GT Perspectives, an online forum focused on turning perspective into opportunity.