This second report in the series explores how mobile internet adoption has evolved since 2015. It examines three areas: the share of the population using mobile internet, the proportion still living outside mobile broadband coverage (the coverage gap), and those who live within mobile broadband coverage but are not yet online (the usage gap).
More people than ever before are accessing the internet through mobile devices. This connectivity enables access to critical services such as healthcare, education, e-commerce and financial services, and provides income-generating opportunities. In low- and middle-income countries, mobile remains the primary – and often the only – means of getting online, accounting for 84% of broadband connections in 2024.
Despite this progress, significant digital divides persist. Those who are digitally excluded are more likely to be poorer, less educated, rural, persons with disabilities and women – groups that stand to gain the most from connectivity.
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2024 marked the strongest growth in adoption since 2021, with 200 million people coming online for the first time. Yet billions remain offline. The usage gap is now ten times larger than the coverage gap, and addressing it is critical to connecting the unconnected.
Kalvin Bahia, Senior Director of Economics, GSMA Intelligence (report author)
Explore the chapters
1. Mobile internet connectivity overview
Learn about the recent progress in mobile internet adoption, with 200 million new users in 2024. This chapter presents the latest data on global connectivity trends, highlighting developments in the usage and coverage gaps.
2. Exploring variations in connectivity
Understand how these connectivity trends vary by region, age and development status. This chapter highlights where growth is strongest, the gaps that persist, and includes a spotlight on accelerating digital inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa.
3. The rural-urban and gender gaps
Learn how rural populations and women in LMICs face lower levels of mobile internet adoption than urban and male counterparts. This chapter shows where gaps are narrowing and where progress has stalled.
4. Mobile ownership
Smartphone ownership continues to grow, with 250 million new smartphone owners in 2024. But many people in LMICs still rely on feature phones, 3G smartphones, or shared devices – and two thirds of the usage gap do not own a mobile phone.
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.
