Affordability and network coverage are the two largest barriers to driving mobile internet access among non-adopters. In this report we focus on network coverage.

Globally, 90% of the world’s population is covered by 2G networks and 73% by 3G. This implies that 10% of people are living in areas unable to access basic voice and SMS services, while 30% live outside of range of the mobile internet on a 3G speed or higher.

This report focuses on Asia, a continent which accounts for the majority (55%) of those in the world not yet connected to the internet. Countries in this region have socioeconomic and geographic characteristics that make them ideal case studies to illustrate the challenges in providing rural coverage.