Connected Society - Mobile for Development

Man in traditional headgear sitting and using a smartphone, embodying the GSMA Connected Society vision.

Connected Society

Accelerating digital inclusion for underserved population groups in low- and middle-income countries.

About us

Mobile is the primary – and often only – way people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) access the internet, particularly for women and those living in rural areas. While mobile has been driving digital inclusion, there remain significant connectivity gaps. The Connected Society programme works with the mobile industry, governments, the development community and other key stakeholders to further increase access to and adoption of mobile internet, focusing on underserved population groups.

Must-read resources

All our latest news, reports and research in one place.

The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2025

Now a six-part series: Discover connectivity trends, barriers and opportunities for digital inclusion.

Explore the series

How the Mpola Mpola device financing scheme supports MTN Uganda’s digital inclusion strategy

Read case study

How Jio is improving handset affordability and access for the underserved in India

A woman in traditional clothing using a mobile phone outdoors, contributing to the GSMA's vision of a Connected Society.

Making internet-enabled handsets more affordable in low- and middle-income countries

See all resources

Explore our work

A rescue worker in protective gear takes a break amidst rubble and debris.

The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity

200 million people began using mobile internet on their own devices in 2024 – a growth rate not seen since 2021. But significant digital divides persist.

A person wearing bangles operates a smartphone at a fish market, embodying the concept of a Connected Society as envisioned by the GSMA.

GSMA Mobile Connectivity Index

The MCI measures the performance of 173 countries against key enablers of mobile internet adoption: infrastructure; affordability; consumer readiness; and content and services.

Three women in a GSMA meeting, one holding a smartphone with an attention-focused expression.

GSMA Mobile Internet Skills Training Toolkit

MISTT is a set of free resources for teaching people the basic mobile digital skills they need to access and use mobile internet. It has been used to train more than 80 million people.

A person wearing a wireless earbud using a smartphone in our connected society.

Assistive Tech

Our mission is to drive greater access and use of mobile technologies for persons with disabilities in emerging markets and maximise opportunities for social and economic inclusion.

Two individuals, representing a Connected Society, in orange shirts working with electronic devices outdoors.

GSMA Innovation Fund

The GSMA Innovation Fund accelerates digital tech solutions that address key global challenges. Connected Society rounds focus on rural connectivity and mobile internet adoption.

Mobile Digital Skills Alliance

The Alliance is a learning, communications and collaboration network that brings together key stakeholders in response to the mobile digital skills gap in LMICs.

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This initiative is currently funded by UK International Development from the UK government and by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and is supported by the GSMA and its members.