GSMA 2019 Mobile Industry Impact Report: Sustainable Development Goals

GSMA released the 2019 Mobile Industry SDG Impact Report under the theme of sustainable development goals (SDGs). The report looks at the impact of connectivity and mobile enabled-services and how to incorporate SDGs into the core business of the mobile industry. It also elaborates on the interplay between mobile technology and climate change through showcasing examples where mobile technology is driving possible environmental change. The report further expounds possible ways to enable the transition to a zero-carbon economy, improve resilience to the effects of climate change, reduce emissions and driving energy efficiency, and guide the mobile industry towards net zero by 2050. ‘Our role is very important to reverse or slow the impact of climate change. Through our core products and services, we have the power to enable a global transition to a low-carbon economy. Through 5G and frontier technologies, we can innovate to further help businesses, consumers and communities move towards a more energy-efficient future,’ noted CEO Orange and Chairman of GSMA Board Stéphane Richard. Additionally, the study reports on the impact of industry on the SDGs in 2018 and marks the highest impact on SDG 9: Industry, innovation, and infrastructure. Since 2015, an additional 900 million people have been covered by a 3G network, which now stands at 90% global coverage. An additional 2.2 billion have been covered by a 4G network, which now stands at almost 80% global coverage. This reflects the role of mobile networks in providing critical infrastructure that spurs inclusive and sustainable development, in addition to greater innovation. The second highest impacted is SDG 4: Quality education with 1.4 billion mobile subscribers using their phones to improve their education or that of their children – an increase of 140 million users since 2017.