A man in a brown knitted hat and dark jacket sits on a step, smiling as he holds a mobile phone for a selfie. Beside him, a woman in a bright pink sari and scarf crouches, also smiling, with a wooden door and sunlight in the background.

The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2025

Six reports, one series: The latest data and insights on global mobile internet adoption, barriers and opportunities for digital inclusion.

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Overview Report

Trends in Mobile Internet Connectivity

Network Coverage and Infrastructure

Understanding Mobile Internet Use in LMICs

Barriers to Mobile Internet Adoption and Use

Affordability of Internet-Enabled Handsets and Data

Mobile Connectivity Index

A man in a brown hat and black jacket sits on a doorstep, holding a mobile phone and smiling. Beside him, a woman in a red sari and headscarf looks at the phone, also smiling. They are in warm light, outside a rustic building with a red wooden door.

Overview Report

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Three tall mobile phone masts stand between rocky, reddish-brown hills under a cloudy, overcast sky. The masts are made of metal and some have aerials or dishes attached. The landscape is rugged, with sparse vegetation on the hills.

Network Coverage and Infrastructure

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An elderly woman in colourful traditional clothing sits cross-legged on a patterned bed outdoors, smiling as she uses a mobile phone. She wears a light blue outfit, a bright headscarf, and several bangles. The background is a faded wall with a soft, neutral tone.

Barriers to Mobile Internet Adoption and Use

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Three young men sit on a weathered wooden boat by the sea, looking at a mobile. They wear casual clothes; one has headphones around his neck. Other boats and people are visible in the background under a clear blue sky.

Trends in Mobile Internet Connectivity

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A person wearing a yellow patterned dress uses a mobile phone outdoors. Their hand is touching the screen, browsing photos or social media. Another person in a dark, floral outfit stands nearby. The background is blurry, showing reddish-brown ground.

Understanding Mobile Internet Use in LMICs

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A woman wearing a colourful knitted hat and leopard print top stands outdoors in a lush, green field, looking down at a mobile phone in her hand. She holds a wooden stick and appears focused, with trees and vegetation in the background.

Affordability of Internet-Enabled Handsets and Data

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Key findings in French
Key findings in Spanish

Explore the latest global data

  • Global
  • East Asia & Pacific
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Latin America & Caribbean
  • South Asia
  • Middle East & North Africa
  • North America
  • Europe & Central Asia

Global

2015
2024
19 %
4 %

Coverage gap

49 %
38 %

Usage gap

33 %
58 %

Connected

East Asia & Pacific

2015
2024
5 %
1 %

Coverage gap

47 %
22 %

Usage gap

47 %
76 %

Connected

Sub-Saharan Africa

2015
2024
46 %
10 %

Coverage gap

42 %
65 %

Usage gap

11 %
25 %

Connected

Latin America & Caribbean

2015
2024
15 %
5 %

Coverage gap

49 %
32 %

Usage gap

36 %
63 %

Connected

South Asia

2015
2024
30 %
4 %

Coverage gap

58 %
50 %

Usage gap

12 %
46 %

Connected

Middle East & North Africa

2015
2024
23 %
3 %

Coverage gap

48 %
50 %

Usage gap

29 %
46 %

Connected

North America

2015
2024
1 %
1 %

Coverage gap

37 %
18 %

Usage gap

62 %
81 %

Connected

Europe & Central Asia

2015
2024
6 %
1 %

Coverage gap

43 %
22 %

Usage gap

50 %
77 %

Connected

  • Global
  • East Asia & Pacific
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Latin America & Caribbean
  • South Asia
  • Middle East & North Africa
  • North America
  • Europe & Central Asia
Mobile internet connectivity
3G, 4G & 5G
Download speeds
This graph shows the evolution of global mobile internet connectivity from 2015 to 2024, including the percentage of people connected, the coverage gap and the usage gap.
This graph shows the trend in 3G, 4G and 5G coverage from 2015 to 2024.
This graph shows the trend in download speed from 2015 to 2024.
Key:
Coverage gap
Usage gap
Connected
3G
4G
5G
Download speed
Mobile internet connectivity
3G, 4G & 5G
Download speeds
This graph shows the evolution of global mobile internet connectivity from 2015 to 2024, including the percentage of people connected, the coverage gap and the usage gap.
This graph shows the trend in 3G, 4G and 5G coverage from 2015 to 2024.
This graph shows the trend in download speed from 2015 to 2024.
Key:
Coverage gap
Usage gap
Connected
3G
4G
5G
Download speed
Mobile internet connectivity
3G, 4G & 5G
Download speeds
This graph shows the evolution of global mobile internet connectivity from 2015 to 2024, including the percentage of people connected, the coverage gap and the usage gap.
This graph shows the trend in 3G, 4G and 5G coverage from 2015 to 2024.
This graph shows the trend in download speed from 2015 to 2024.
Key:
Coverage gap
Usage gap
Connected
3G
4G
5G
Download speed
Mobile internet connectivity
3G, 4G & 5G
Download speeds
This graph shows the evolution of global mobile internet connectivity from 2015 to 2024, including the percentage of people connected, the coverage gap and the usage gap.
This graph shows the trend in 3G, 4G and 5G coverage from 2015 to 2024.
This graph shows the trend in download speed from 2015 to 2024.
Key:
Coverage gap
Usage gap
Connected
3G
4G
5G
Download speed
Mobile internet connectivity
3G, 4G & 5G
Download speeds
This graph shows the evolution of global mobile internet connectivity from 2015 to 2024, including the percentage of people connected, the coverage gap and the usage gap.
This graph shows the trend in 3G, 4G and 5G coverage from 2015 to 2024.
This graph shows the trend in download speed from 2015 to 2024.
Key:
Coverage gap
Usage gap
Connected
3G
4G
5G
Download speed
Mobile internet connectivity
3G, 4G & 5G
Download speeds
This graph shows the evolution of global mobile internet connectivity from 2015 to 2024, including the percentage of people connected, the coverage gap and the usage gap.
This graph shows the trend in 3G, 4G and 5G coverage from 2015 to 2024.
This graph shows the trend in download speed from 2015 to 2024.
Key:
Coverage gap
Usage gap
Connected
3G
4G
5G
Download speed
Mobile internet connectivity
3G, 4G & 5G
Download speeds
This graph shows the evolution of global mobile internet connectivity from 2015 to 2024, including the percentage of people connected, the coverage gap and the usage gap.
This graph shows the trend in 3G, 4G and 5G coverage from 2015 to 2024.
This graph shows the trend in download speed from 2015 to 2024.
Key:
Coverage gap
Usage gap
Connected
3G
4G
5G
Download speed
Mobile internet connectivity
3G, 4G & 5G
Download speeds
This graph shows the evolution of global mobile internet connectivity from 2015 to 2024, including the percentage of people connected, the coverage gap and the usage gap.
This graph shows the trend in 3G, 4G and 5G coverage from 2015 to 2024.
This graph shows the trend in download speed from 2015 to 2024.
Key:
Coverage gap
Usage gap
Connected
3G
4G
5G
Download speed

Previous reports

Browse past editions of The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity.

A smiling man and woman stand outdoors, looking at a mobile the woman is holding. Both appear happy and engaged. The sky is clear blue. White text reads: "The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2024." The GSMA logo is in the top left corner.
2024
A woman in a red sari and a man in traditional attire sit outdoors, smiling as they look at a mobile phone together. The cover text reads, “The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2023” by GSMA. Greenery is visible in the background.
2023
A smiling young man and an older woman sit together, both looking at a smartphone the woman is holding. The man is gesturing towards the screen. The background is teal. Text reads: "The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2022.
2022
A woman wearing a headscarf and face mask stands outdoors in a green field, looking at her mobile phone. The cover text reads, “Connected Society: The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2021.” The GSMA logo appears in the upper left corner.
2021
A woman in a patterned dress balances a tray of goods on her head whilst using a mobile phone. She stands on a wet street in a rural area with other buildings visible in the background. Text on the image reads: "The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2020.
2020
A young woman sits on a wooden bench outdoors, smiling as she looks at a mobile phone. She wears a blue checked shirt and a pink skirt. The background includes bamboo poles, a bicycle, and bare earth, indicating a rural setting. Text on image discusses mobile internet.
2019
Report cover with a dark red background featuring a digital, wireframe globe in red tones. Text reads: "Connected Society State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2018." GSMA logo in the top left corner. Copyright GSMA Association at the bottom.
2018

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