The Digital Inclusion programme is delighted to share that GSMA Intelligence launched a major new data set, tracking the number of unique subscribers to mobile internet services. This is the first time the industry has seen a global perspective of the number of subscribers moving from traditional voice and SMS services to mobile data services. Tracking this data provides unique insights into where these new subscribers are coming from, whilst emphasising the importance of mobile as the gateway to the internet for many users, particularly in the developing world.
The mobile internet subscriber estimates and forecasts are based on primary research conducted across 42 markets worldwide. These 42 markets are split evenly between developed and developing and represent 74% of global unique subscribers. GSMA Intelligence was then able to develop estimates for the remaining countries using demographic, economic and technology profiling techniques along with regulator information where available.
Here, we share an example of GSMA Intelligence’s findings, comparing the latest mobile Internet data to population and connections data (ex: – machine to machine), across four markets. Brazil, China, India and Nigeria (see graphs below). Even across just these four markets we can clearly see the growth opportunity for mobile Internet services from now until 2020. With India’s population predicted to jump from 18% mobile internet usage to 44% in the next 6 years, there is much work to be done in overcoming the barriers of infrastructure, affordability and taxation, mobile literacy and digital skills and providing locally relevant content to stimulate access and use of the mobile internet for users.
Source: GSMA Intelligence January 2015
* Population includes a proportion of people that will never subscribe to mobile services (e.g. the very young). Therefore total unique subscribers will never reach the same level as total population. Full definitions are available at GSMA Intelligence: https://gsmaintelligence.com/help/ (summaries are published at the end of this post)
Having these new mobile internet data sets means that the GSMA Digital Inclusion programme is better informed to work with our partners to reach our goal of connecting an additional one billion people to the mobile internet. As well as highlighting the opportunity for growth in specific markets, this information enables us to pin-point market leaders and capture lessons and best practices for connecting people to the mobile internet. Sharing this information with our stakeholders ensures we can build robust initiatives to overcome the barriers users face in accessing and using the mobile internet.
For more information on mobile internet subscribers, forecasts and assumptions please visit https://gsmaintelligence.com/ or contact the team at https://gsmaintelligence.com/contact/ to learn more about GSMA Intelligence subscriptions.
Definitions
A summary of the definitions of key terms is as follows:
Connection – A connection is defined as a unique SIM cards (or phone number, where SIM cards are not used) that has been registered on the mobile network at the end of a period.
Active Connection – An active connection is defined as an active unique SIM card (or phone number, where SIM cards are not used), excluding M2M, that has been used for voice, messaging or data activity on the mobile network over the operator’s activity period, which can range from one to 13 months.
Unique Subscriber – A unique subscriber is defined as a unique user who is subscribed to mobile services at the end of the period, excluding M2M. Subscribers differ from connections such that a unique user can have multiple connections.
Mobile Internet Subscriber – A mobile internet subscriber is defined as a unique user who has used internet services on their mobile device(s) at the end of the period. Mobile internet services are defined as any activity that consumes mobile data (ie excluding SMS, MMS and cellular voice calls).