Network Coverage and Infrastructure - M4D - SOMIC

Three tall metal mobile phone masts stand among reddish rocky hills under a cloudy sky. Sparse vegetation dots the rugged landscape, and the masts are topped with aerials and dishes, contrasting sharply with the natural surroundings.

Network Coverage and Infrastructure

An analysis of mobile broadband coverage, network rollouts and the infrastructure shaping connectivity.

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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

At a glance

The third report in the series examines how network coverage and infrastructure are expanding, and investigates network quality. These factors affect people’s ability to access the internet and their experience when doing so.

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Why it matters

The vast majority (96%) of the world’s population live within the footprint of a mobile broadband network. Around 300 million people, or 4% of the global population, live in areas without mobile broadband coverage (the coverage gap). The uncovered live in locations that are predominantly rural, poor and sparsely populated. They are typically in a least developed country, landlocked developing country or small island developing state. This coverage gap has been shrinking but is persistent.

An animation showing key findings from this report: 4% of the world's population are still not covered by mobile broadband. This equates to around 300 million people, down 40 million compared to 2023.

“
The coverage gap has reduced, primarily driven by Sub-Saharan Africa, but reaching the remaining populations is proving challenging. It will take hundreds of billions in investment, new policies and alternative technologies to bring coverage to these communities — the ones that stand to benefit most from mobile connectivity.
Claire Sibthorpe, Head of Digital Inclusion, GSMA

Explore the chapters

A tall telecommunications tower with multiple aerials and satellite dishes stands against a star-filled night sky, with the Milky Way visible. Mountains and clouds are seen in the distance at the bottom of the image.

1. The coverage gap

The coverage gap has reduced, but reaching the remaining populations will be challenging. This chapter explores where coverage is improving, where large gaps remain, and highlights some of the key challenges in expanding coverage further.

A cluster of telecommunications masts stands atop a mountain, surrounded by trees and green shrubbery. The masts have various aerials and satellite dishes. The sky is clear and blue, and a vast, hazy landscape stretches out in the distance below.

2. Network coverage by technology

5G now covers more than half the world’s population. Meanwhile, 4G deployments have slowed. This chapter delves into the expansion of networks by different technology type and the gradual shutting down of legacy networks.

Two women wearing green uniforms stand indoors, closely looking at a mobile phone held by one of them. One woman has a blue headscarf, and both appear focused and engaged with the phone’s screen. The background is bright and minimal.

3. Data consumption and network quality

LMICs continue to see increased data usage and improvements in network quality, but the gap versus high-income countries persists. This chapter examines differences by region, national income levels and other geographical factors, and highlights where progress is strongest.

The Connected Society programme is supported by UK International Development from the UK Government and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and is supported by the GSMA and its members.