4.3bn people globally access mobile internet using 3G, 4G or 5G – Report
By Alexander Chiejina
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Online content and services fuelling mobile internet adoption and usage.
Over 4.3 billion people globally now use mobile internet, providing people with access to critical information and services such as healthcare, education, e-commerce, financial services and income-generating opportunities, according to The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2022 Report.
The report noted that despite economic slowdowns because of the COVID-19 pandemic, smartphone connectivity has continued to steadily rise with sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia having the highest growth rates in smartphone connections over the past five years with an average annual growth rate of 20 percent in each region.
This development has been fuelled by the deployment of 4G and 5G technologies which has enabled existing and potential mobile internet users to access a greater range and quality of services. As such, these technologies have become the focus for many countries in recent years.
“As people use mobile internet to meet a range of life needs, communication services, such as instant messaging, video and voice calling online including watching free videos, continues to be the most popular activities done by mobile internet users. Other uses of mobile internet stems from its use in health, government services, job applications and education support,” the report explained.
With growth in mobile broadband coverage slowing, mobile internet adoption is starting to outpace network expansion. Reaching those who are not yet using mobile internet despite living within the footprint of a mobile broadband network is critical since they are the majority of the unconnected. With network expansion slowing, mobile internet adoption has begun to outpace increases in mobile broadband coverage, Business A.M. gathered.
In sub-Saharan Africa, affordability of handsets has significantly improved year on year between 2017 and 2020, according to the report. Sub-Saharan Africa was the only region that saw an improvement in handset affordability in 2020, driven by the availability of lower-cost smartphones and smart feature phones. This helped to offset the reduction in average incomes from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Furthermore, the availability of online content and services that are accessible and relevant to the local population is a key enabler of mobile internet adoption and usage. Without it, people will not have a compelling reason to invest the time and financial resources needed to access the internet.
Experts believe that strong collective effort is needed to achieve meaningful connectivity, which allows users to have a safe, satisfying, enriching and productive online experience that is affordable. They posit that this effort will require informed, targeted action by all stakeholders, including mobile operators, policymakers, international partners and the broader private sector.
Business A.M gathered that improving digital skills and literacy, as well as driving awareness and understanding of mobile internet and its benefits, is critical to increase digital inclusion. While affordability of handsets and data remains a key challenge, lowering the cost of internet-enabled handsets and data, innovative data pricing strategies and handset financing options, in addition to providing targeted subsidies and tax policies that promote the uptake of internet-enabled devices and data services are key drivers in achieving increased mobile internet coverage.
While usage of the internet depends on enablers such as electricity, formal identification, sales agents and accessibility features, stakeholders can increase mobile internet adoption by focusing on facilitating inclusive and transparent registration processes for mobile, and making services, sales channels and training facilities accessible to underserved groups, such as women and persons with disabilities, alongside improving accessibility features.