Mobile’s impact on the SDGs in North America
In North America, 80% of the region’s population subscribe to mobile internet services, driving the industry’s contribution across a range of SDGs.
Moreover, the US and Canada are among the global leaders in terms of 5G adoption, reflecting the ambitious 5G deployment plans of operators and a rapidly expanding device and content ecosystem. This supports the industry’s contribution to the SDGs by spurring the use of new applications and services in sectors such as automotive, healthcare and manufacturing.
Climate-related SDGs (e.g. SDGs 11, 12 and 13) are quickly rising up the agenda of North American operators. Nearly all North American operators disclose to the CDP and have committed to climate targets. This strong level of ambition is matched by action, with operational emissions per connection falling by more than 35% between 2019 and 2022, thanks in part to progress on energy-efficiency and renewable energy.65
SDG mobile impact scores, North America
Source: GSMA Intelligence
Key drivers of SDG mobile impact scores
Mobile broadband coverage and penetration, North America
Source: GSMA Intelligence
| 2015 | 2023 | 2015 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile broadband coverage (% of total population) | 360 million | 380 million | 99% | 99% |
| Mobile penetration (% of total population) | 260 million | 320 million | 72% | 84% |
| Mobile internet penetration (% of total population) | 220 million | 300 million | 62% | 80% |
Mobile usage by activity, North America
Source: GSMA Intelligence
| Use cases | 2015 | 2023 | 2015 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Search for information | 230 million | 310 million | 89% | 91% |
| Use mobile financial services | 140 million | 300 million | 79% | 87% |
| Read news | 220 million | 290 million | 84% | 83% |
| Use social media | 230 million | 280 million | 87% | 82% |
| Buy goods or services | 190 million | 260 million | 74% | 76% |
| Make video calls | 200 million | 250 million | 78% | 74% |
| Watch videos | 160 million | 250 million | 63% | 72% |
| Manage or pay bills | 110 million | 230 million | 42% | 67% |
| Access health services/ information | 140 million | 220 million | 53% | 64% |
| Access information to help with work or job | 120 million | 220 million | 45% | 64% |
| Access government services/ information | 100 million | 180 million | 40% | 53% |
| Access information to support training, learning or education | 110 million | 160 million | 43% | 48% |
| Use agricultural services | 40 million | 110 million | 17% | 33% |