GSMA published The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2020

The GSMA Connected Society programme released the third edition of its annual flagship publication The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2020, which delivers a comprehensive overview of the trends in global connectivity to inform international progress towards closing coverage and usage gaps and addressing key challenges. The report found that while the coverage gap – those living outside of areas covered by mobile broadband networks – continues to narrow, there is still a considerable usage gap which is now six times larger than the coverage gap. This could be attributed to the lack of literacy and digital skills, which persists as the main barrier to use. Yet, while awareness of mobile internet is increasing, it is far from universal. ‘This report shows that the usage gap is a global challenge, but those significant regional disparities persist. If we don’t take action now, we run the risk of reinforcing existing inequalities in the digital world and further marginalising vulnerable people’, highlighted Chief Executive Officer of Orange and Chairman of the GSMA Stéphane Richard.