2023-10-20-GSMA-2023年移动互联网报告_81页_3mb

Summary of Mobile Internet Connectivity Report 2023

Key Findings

• By end of 2022, 57% of the global population (4.6 billion) used mobile internet, but growth slowed significantly.
• The coverage gap remains at 5% (400 million people), while the usage gap is even larger, with 3 billion people covered but not using mobile internet.
• Adoption is highest in high-income countries (85%), lowest in least developed countries (25%), and moderate in low-middle-income countries (57%).
• Smartphone penetration reached 54% globally, but a smartphone is owned by 81% of mobile internet users.
• Significant challenges in rural areas, gender gaps, and income disparities persist, limiting connectivity for many.
• Affordability of devices and data, along with digital skills, are major barriers, particularly in developing markets.
• Relevance and safety concerns also hinder adoption, with language barriers excluding many populations from online services.

Introduction

• Mobile internet is vital for economic and social development, providing access to education, healthcare, and financial services.
• Progress in digital inclusion has slowed, and the digital divide remains a critical challenge, especially during the cost-of-living crisis.
• International cooperation and targeted policies are needed to accelerate the adoption of meaningful connectivity for those left behind.

Trends in Mobile Internet Connectivity

• Mobile internet adoption slowed in 2022, with only 200 million new users added compared to 300 million in 2021.
• 4G coverage reached 90% globally, while 5G grew to 32% of the population.
• Smartphone usage increased, but 2G/3G networks remain essential in many low-income areas for affordability and connectivity.
• The urban-rural gap in mobile internet use narrowed slightly in some regions but remains a major barrier in places like South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Gender gaps in adoption stagnated, with women in low-income areas being 19% less likely than men to use mobile internet.

Network Coverage and Infrastructure

• The global coverage gap at 5% is relatively unchanged, but deployment challenges in rural and remote areas persist.
• 5G expansion accelerated, primarily in Asia-Pacific and large middle-income countries, but 2G/3G networks are critical for basic connectivity and legacy services.
• Network quality improved in all regions, but download speed gaps between high- and low-income countries remain substantial.
• Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites offer potential for connectivity but face technological, economic, and regulatory hurdles to closing the coverage gap.

How People Are Using Mobile Internet

• Mobile internet use is transitioning from basic communication to entertainment, education, and financial services.
• Smartphone reliance increases daily life, with most users engaging in activities like social media, video streaming, and online shopping.
• Affordability and digital literacy are key concerns, particularly for the poor and in rural areas. Increasingly, apps and services are localized, enabling broader adoption.

Key Barriers to Mobile Internet Adoption and Use

• Affordability of devices (16% of average income in LMICs) and data (up to $50–100/month) remains the primary barrier, disproportionately affecting the poor and women.
• Digital literacy and skills gaps are widespread, limiting users from unlocking mobile internet’s potential.
• Awareness and relevance are major barriers, especially in contexts where mobile internet is perceived as unnecessary or irrelevant.
• Safety and security concerns, such as online harassment and privacy risks, are particularly pronounced in Africa and Asia-Pacific, deterring many from use.
• Digital language divide limits access for speakers of minority languages, restricting inclusivity and diverse participation.

Conclusion and Recommendations

• Collaborative action is essential to advancing digital inclusion, with mobile operators, governments, NGOs, and international bodies working together to address barriers.
• Stakeholders should prioritize strategies that
• improve affordability through pricing support, device accessibility, and subsidy mechanisms.
• Enhance digital skills through training initiatives, creating an enabling regulatory environment.
• Develop relevant services in local languages, ensuring broader accessibility and understanding.
• Promote safety and security by implementing robust online protection measures.
• Expand network infrastructure, including exploring innovative solutions like LEO satellites or public–private partnerships.

In summary, while mobile internet adoption has grown, systemic barriers threaten to leave many behind. Coordinated global efforts are needed to ensure equitable access to meaningful connectivity.