2023 Mobile Industry
Impact Report:
Introduction and key findings
Underpinning the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a shared promise by every country to work together to secure the rights and wellbeing of everyone on a healthy, thriving planet. However, at the halfway point on the way to 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are in deep trouble[1].
The Covid-19 pandemic, conflict in Ukraine and climate-related disasters have slowed the already faltering progress of the SDGs. Meanwhile, the cost-of-living crisis has affected economies globally, with vulnerable populations most affected by rising prices for energy and food. A preliminary UN assessment of 140 SDG targets that have data available shows that only about 12% are on track. Close to half are showing progress but are moderately or severely off track, and 30% have either seen no movement or have regressed below the 2015 baseline[2].
The implications are stark. With the current trends, 575 million people will still be living in extreme poverty in 2030, and only about a third of countries will meet the target to halve national poverty levels.[3] Moreover, the world is back at hunger levels not seen since 2005. Food prices remain higher in more countries than in the 2015–2019 period[4].
A fundamental shift is therefore needed – in commitment, solidarity, financing and action – to put the world on a better path. The mobile industry has an important role to play in facilitating this shift.
Mobile is integral to advancing the SDGs
Mobile is the primary (in some cases, only) way most people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) access the internet. It provides access to critical information and services such as education, healthcare and financial services, as well as income-generating opportunities. Meanwhile, mobile operators worldwide are increasing their commitments to reach net zero carbon emissions[5] and supporting the green transition across other industries.
However, at the halfway point, more can be done to improve mobile’s contribution to the SDGs. The mobile industry must therefore work closely with stakeholders (including governments, other industries, civil society and the international community) to find new ways to scale the impact of mobile.
This eighth edition of the annual SDG report demonstrates the mobile industry’s continued commitment to the goals, and identifies areas where the industry needs to improve or accelerate its actions to achieve the 2030 Agenda.
Mobile's impact on the SDGs
In 2022, the average SDG impact score across the 17 Goals was 53. This means the industry achieved 53% of its potential contribution to the SDGs – up from 33% in 2015.
Countries that have achieved the biggest improvements in mobile connectivity have also typically achieved greater improvements in SDG implementation.
Over the past seven years, nearly 2 billion people have gained access to the internet through a mobile. By the end of 2022, 57% of the world’s population (4.5 billion people) was using mobile internet. This paves the way for individuals to engage in a range of online activities, with access to vital information and life-enhancing tools that contribute to several SDGs.
This was due to a decline in the proportion of mobile subscribers engaging in activities on their phones relevant to the SDGs. While mobile use across these activities remained higher than before the pandemic, the resumption of in-person engagements across sectors such as education and healthcare is likely having an impact on user behaviour. The cost-of-living crisis is also likely to be impeding usage, as the global rise in inflation is putting pressure on consumers, potentially hindering their ability to fully use mobile services.
However, the stalled progress observed in 2022 underscores the uncertainty ahead and the importance of accelerating the industry’s contribution.
Key findings
Mobile internet adoption will reach 65% of the population by 2030
underserved groups
of the world’s poorest 40%, or 1.5 billion people, use mobile internet
5% of the world’s population lives in areas without mobile coverage
43% of the mobile industry by revenue has committed to reach net zero by 2050 or earlier
of mobile subscribers, or 2.6 billion people, use mobile financial services
Total IoT connections are expected to more than double between 2022 and 2030
via mobile
of mobile subscribers, or 2.3 billion people, use mobile to access educational information for themselves or their children
4G’s share of total mobile connections quadrupled between 2015 and 2022
5G surpassed 10% of total connections in 2022
Case Study Map
Mats Granryd
This year marks the eighth year since the mobile industry demonstrated its commitment to sustainable development, becoming the first industry to commit to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As we reach the halfway point for achieving these goals, now is the perfect time for the mobile industry to reflect on our achievements, examine the current challenges and set our sights on the opportunities that lie ahead.
In 2015, when the world adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the mobile industry’s average SDG impact score stood at 33, achieving 33% of what it could potentially contribute to the SDGs. Fast forward to 2022, and our industry’s average impact score across the 17 SDGs rose to 53, demonstrating significant progress. Notably, we have witnessed substantial improvements in contributions to SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 6: Clean Water & Sanitation, and SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. These advancements can be attributed to the increasing number of people who rely on mobile technology to access educational resources, interact with government services and manage their bills.
The mobile industry’s biggest impact continues to be in SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, driven by the widespread reach of mobile networks, investments in 5G and infrastructure and the growing uptake of mobile internet services. Over the past seven years, close to 2 billion more people have gained access to the internet through their mobile phones. This significant connectivity achievement has brought us closer to bridging the digital divide and empowering individuals with the resources they need to thrive.
We have also made significant progress in expanding mobile broadband coverage. By the end of 2022, 95% of the global population had access to mobile broadband coverage, leaving only 400 million people without connectivity. Considering that this number stood at 1.8 billion in 2015, the remarkable progress is clear to see. And even more remarkable with the realisation that countries with a higher mobile connectivity score do better overall in the implementation of their SDGs.
While much has been achieved, the global landscape has also undergone profound transformations in recent years, presenting new challenges that hinder our progress towards the SDGs. The Covid-19 pandemic, conflicts, climate-related disasters, the ongoing economic crisis and high inflation have significantly impacted our efforts. Vulnerable populations have borne the brunt of rising energy and food prices, exacerbating the cost-of-living crisis. In this context, the work we do as an industry to advance the SDGs becomes even more crucial in building resilience and creating a sustainable future.
While we remain optimistic about the potential impact we can achieve, we cannot take progress for granted. The flat average SDG impact score observed in 2022 means that we must keep working together across the public and private sectors to accelerate our efforts and increase the scale of our impact.
As we navigate towards the 2030 SDG targets, this report considers how we can hasten our efforts. By focusing on unlocking growth in mobile and mobile internet adoption, accelerating the usage of mobile-enabled services, and embracing sustainable business practices, we can maximise our contributions to the SDGs.
Together, as an industry, we have the opportunity to drive positive change, empower communities, and create a sustainable future by unlocking the power of connectivity and creating a better future for all.
José María Álvarez-Pallete López
As the Chairman of the GSMA, it is with great pleasure that I present to you the eighth annual Mobile Industry Impact Report on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This report showcases the remarkable progress and potential of the mobile industry in contributing to the SDGs. As we reach the halfway point towards 2030, we must take stock of our achievements, acknowledge the challenges, and identify the path forward.
The report paints a vivid picture of the current state of the SDGs and the critical role mobile technology plays in shaping our collective future. However, it also highlights the urgent need for a fundamental shift in commitment, solidarity, financing, and action to put the world on a better path.
The global landscape has been shaped by significant crises – the Covid-19 pandemic, conflicts, climate-related disasters, and an ongoing economic crisis with high inflation. These challenges have only exacerbated the already faltering progress towards the SDGs. Rising energy and food prices intensifying the cost-of-living crisis and disproportionally affect vulnerable populations.
The report reveals that only about 12% of the overall SDG targets with available data are on track, with nearly half experiencing moderate to severe deviations. Alarming figures indicate that 575 million people will still be living in extreme poverty by 2030, and hunger levels have regressed to those not seen since 2005.
Yes, there are reasons to be alarmed and worried. Yet, against this backdrop, I am proud to belong to an industry that plays a vital role, day after day, in empowering and bringing people closer together, building resilient communities, and taking action to build a sustainable and inclusive digital future.
Mobile technology has become the primary means of internet access for billions of people, especially in LMICs, enabling access to critical information, services, education, healthcare, and income-generating opportunities. Moreover, mobile operators worldwide are increasing their commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions and promote the circular economy while supporting the green transition in other industries.
The report highlights the progress made by the mobile industry in increasing its impact on each of the 17 SDGs since 2015. Notably, the industry achieved its highest impact in SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, driven by the widespread reach of mobile networks and mobile internet adoption. This is showcased through industry case studies such as Telefonica’s incorporation of an ethical and sustainability framework called Responsible by Design, bringing sustainability to digital solutions innovation.
Additionally, significant strides have been made in reducing disparities in mobile internet adoption between different user segments, supporting SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.
However, despite these achievements, more must be done to enhance mobile’s contribution to the SDGs. The mobile industry must collaborate closely with stakeholders, including governments, other industries, civil society, and the international community, to scale up mobile’s impact. This report serves as a call to action, highlighting areas where the industry needs to improve or accelerate its actions to achieve the 2030 agenda.
Looking ahead, the report presents a vision of the future, emphasising the importance of unlocking growth in mobile and mobile internet adoption, accelerating the usage of mobile-enabled services, and leveraging emerging technologies such as 5G and IoT to drive progress. It is essential that telecommunications infrastructure is recognised as a sustainable investment.
I invite you to explore the findings of this report and join us in the collective effort to unleash the power of connectivity, transform lives, and create a better future for all. Together, we can overcome the challenges we face and build a sustainable world that leaves no one behind.
Doreen Bogdan-Martin
As the digital landscape is shifting beneath our feet, presenting great challenges but also unprecedented opportunities to address our most pressing global challenges, achieving all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the end of the decade is one of the world’s greatest tests yet.
Meanwhile, about a third of humanity is still unconnected, with women accounting for a disproportionate and growing share of the global offline population. And while we know digital inclusion and skills are catalysts for the SDGs, less than half of the world’s countries track digital skills.
The challenges are vast, but the reason to hope is bigger still: we have the technologies we need to deliver on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Mobile connectivity is one of them, with far-reaching impacts for communities everywhere.
That’s why earlier this year, I challenged the mobile industry to step up efforts in steering the world onto a more sustainable and resilient path while leaving no one behind. The 2023 edition of GSMA’s Mobile Industry Impact Report shows how they’re doing just that.
These pages reveal concrete examples of how the mobile industry is contributing to global sustainable development, especially by making technology more inclusive and meaningful for the most vulnerable among us. One example is how mobile internet is now used by 47 percent of the world’s poorest 40 percent — the equivalent to 1.5 billion people.
GSMA’s impact scores for each SDG are based on two enablers: connectivity and sustainable business practices. Both are closely tied to ITU’s strategic goals of universal connectivity and sustainable digital transformation, reflecting our unified approach to SDG action.
This report reaffirms that meaningful connectivity is where our efforts must be laser-focused, and that our work cannot stop once network infrastructure is in place. Devices must be made more affordable so that everyone can access the wealth of opportunities that being online offers.
ITU also applauds operators’ commitment to environmental action. We welcome the launch of GSMA’s ESG Metrics for Mobile, which complement ITU technical standards on mobile network energy efficiency, to help put the industry on the path to net zero.
It takes the collective effort of every economic sector, government, academic institution and international organization to deliver on the 2030 Agenda. All of us have a role in making connectivity sustainable and universal in the service of each SDG.
This year’s Mobile Industry Impact Report serves as a valuable input in a long line of research.
ITU recently collaborated with UNDP, the Boston Consulting Group, and the Interamerican Development Bank to explore how digital technologies can accelerate progress on the SDGs. In fact, the entire UN system is working tirelessly on a rescue plan for people and planet through the SDG Summit, Our Common Agenda, and other multi-stakeholder processes.
Mobile must be part of our drive to put the SDGs back on track.
The world cannot wait. The fate of all the unconnected and all those struggling to stay online is in the balance. What’s at stake is humanity’s relationship with technology and our ability to keep this planet healthy for future generations.
Our goal must be nothing less than an inclusive and sustainable digital future for all before the end of this decisive decade.
Mobile’s impact on the SDGs at the halfway point
Mobile’s impact on the SDGs has grown significantly since 2015
In 2015, the year that marked the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the mobile industry’s average SDG impact score was 33. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure was the only SDG where the mobile industry scored more than 40. The industry scored less than 30 on four SDGs.
The mobile industry has subsequently made strong progress in increasing its impact on the SDGs. By 2022, the average SDG impact score across the 17 SDGs reached 53. This means the mobile industry is achieving 53% of what it could potentially contribute to the SDGs. Furthermore, there are now 11 SDGs where mobile’s contribution is above 50, while all SDGs score more than 40.
The biggest improvements since 2015 have been recorded in the industry’s contribution to SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, and SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. This is due to the increasing proportion of people using mobile for activities such as obtaining educational information for themselves or their children, accessing government services and paying bills. The improvement in impact scores for SDGs 6 and 7 was also driven by growth in smart utility connections, which was the fastest-growing IoT vertical between 2015 and 2022, according to GSMA Intelligence data.
While mobile’s impact on the SDGs has grown significantly since 2015, the average SDG impact score stalled in 2022. This was due to a decline in the proportion of mobile subscribers engaging in activities on their phones relevant to the SDGs. While mobile use across these activities remained higher than before the pandemic, the resumption of in-person engagements across sectors such as education and healthcare is likely having an impact on user behaviour. The impact of the cost-of-living crisis is also likely to be impeding usage, as the global rise in inflation is putting pressure on consumers, potentially hindering their ability to fully use mobile services.
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Source: GSMA Intelligence
Note: Scores rounded to the nearest whole number
Figure 1: A radar chart showing the SDG mobile impact scores in 2015 along with the change in score between 2015 and 2022. The chart shows that all SDG mobile impact scores have seen a considerable increase in the past seven years. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure has the highest mobile impact score, reaching 60% of its potential contribution to the SDGs in 2022.
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Mobile is the primary means of accessing the internet for billions of people
The mobile industry continues to achieve its highest impact on SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, driven by the reach of mobile networks and take-up of mobile internet services. Over the past seven years, nearly 2 billion people have gained access to the internet on a mobile phone. By the end of 2022, 57% of the world’s population (4.5 billion people) was using mobile internet.
Furthermore, the share of the world’s population living in areas without mobile broadband coverage stood at just 5% at the end of 2022, the share of the world’s population living in areas without mobile broadband coverage stood at just 5%, meaning 400 million people are still not covered by a mobile broadband network (compared to 1.8 billion people in 2015). The reduction in the size of the coverage gap has slowed since 2018, highlighting how the remaining uncovered communities – which are predominantly rural, poor and sparsely populated – are the most challenging to reach in a financially sustainable manner.
A much larger proportion of the unconnected live in areas already covered by mobile broadband networks. By the end of 2022, 38% of the world’s population (3 billion people) lived within the footprint of a mobile broadband network but were not using mobile internet. While this usage gap remained relatively unchanged between 2015 and 2019, it declined by around 300 million people in both 2020 and 2021, and 210 million people in 2022. However, the usage gap remains substantial and is 7.5× the size of the coverage gap.
Progress has also been made in reducing disparities in mobile internet adoption between different user segments, supporting the industry’s contribution to SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. Examples include the following:
Mobile technology helping to improve lives
- Over the last five years, the economic value added generated by mobile technologies and services has increased by $500 billion, reaching $5.2 trillion of economic value added (5% of global GDP) in 2022[11].
- Mobile technology reduces poverty. During 2010–2016, mobile broadband lifted 2 million people out of extreme poverty in Nigeria (which accounts for a quarter of Africa’s poor), reducing the share of people in Nigeria in extreme poverty by 1.5 percentage points[12].
- The mobile industry has increased global employment by around 2 million in the last five years; in 2022, it supported 28 million jobs [13].
- The use of mobile technology powered a global reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of around 2,135 million tonnes of CO2 in 2018. These emissions savings were 10 times greater than the global carbon footprint of the mobile industry itself [14].
- Mobile ownership combined with internet connectivity is associated with an improvement in people's lives and wellbeing[15].
- Analysis from the 2022 GSMA Consumer Survey in 12 LMICs countries shows that the majority of respondents (73%) felt mobile internet usage delivers a positive overall impact on their lives[16]. In the 2021 GSMA Consumer Survey, more than three quarters of respondents claimed that having a mobile helps with day-to-day activities, makes them feel safer, gives them easy access to useful information and helps them with work or business. Almost 60% of respondents that own a mobile said it helps them with studies or education [17].
Source: GSMA Intelligence
Figure 3b: A scatter chart showing the correlation between the change in mobile connectivity score and the change in SDG index score. The chart shows that countries that have achieved the greatest improvements in mobile connectivity have typically achieved greater improvements in SDG scores.
Being connected to mobile internet is only the first step
To harness the full potential of mobile technology, individuals must engage with new and enriching online services that can accelerate social and economic inclusion. As Figure 4 shows, the proportion of mobile subscribers engaging in activities on their phones relevant to the SDGs has grown significantly since 2015, amplifying mobile’s influence across several areas.
Using mobile to engage in life-enhancing activities is particularly important in LMICs, where access to traditional services is often lacking, especially in areas such as education and healthcare. For example, an additional 1.4 billion people in LMICs have used mobile to access educational information since 2015, meaning 40% of mobile subscribers (1.8 billion individuals) used mobile for this purpose in these markets. There has also been strong growth in the number of people in LMICs using mobile to improve or monitor health over the past few years, reaching 1.3 billion users (30% of mobile subscribers) at the end of 2022. Improvements to network quality (see Figure 5) pave the way for users to access more comprehensive educational and health services that integrate higher bandwidth applications such as video streaming and video calling.
Mobile also plays an integral role in reducing the financial exclusion gap in LMICs. There were 1.6 billion registered mobile money accounts by the end of 2022 – more than double the number of registered accounts (772 million) in 2017.[18] This enables households to lift themselves out of poverty by helping them better manage their cash flow, handle risk and build working capital.
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Source: GSMA Intelligence calculations of data provided by Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence®
Figure 5: A line chart showing the global average download and upload speeds for mobile networks between 2015 and 2022. A significant rise in average mobile download speeds is visible after 2020, while there is a steady increase in average mobile upload speeds between 2015 and 2022.
IoT growth and embedding sustainable business practices further drive the SDG impact of mobile
IoT connections increased by 11 billion between 2015 and 2022, reaching 16 billion connections worldwide. This accelerated the industry’s impact on a range of SDGs. For instance, the rise of smart-city solutions as part of efforts from governments to improve quality of life and the efficiency of urban operations and services supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 13: Climate Action, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals[19].
While mobile’s SDG impact is principally driven by the provision of connectivity and services, operators also contribute to sustainable development through their business operations. For example, operators are taking steps to rapidly cut their emissions by 2030. Those in Europe and North America are leading, with network emissions per connection falling since 2021 and absolute emissions plateauing. This reflects operators’ established energy-efficiency programmes and access to renewable electricity[20].
Steps to cut emissions are part of the broader cultural change being instigated by many operators that puts environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues at the core of corporate strategy. As well as minimising the carbon emissions associated with mobile networks, the day-to-day business of the mobile industry includes efforts to connect the unconnected and develop innovative services to advance digital equality. This is driving the mobile industry’s contribution to the SDGs while also helping operators create commercial value and build stronger relationships with customers, investors and other stakeholders.
As stakeholders become more astute in their assessment of ESG claims, an effective and consistent approach to measuring and communicating performance is increasingly important. In 2022, the GSMA launched ESG Metrics for Mobile – a first-of-its-kind, mobile-sector ESG reporting framework featuring 10 industry-specific KPIs.[21] These help operators deliver a more consistent and comparable view of the industry’s most material impacts and drivers of value, allowing for more effective and meaningful communication between operators and their stakeholders.[22]
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Source: GSMA Intelligence
Figure 6: A line chart showing the average SDG mobile impact score between 2015 and 2022. The chart shows a steady increase in the average SDG mobile impact score between 2015 and 2021. In 2022, the average SDG mobile impact score is flat year-on-year.
The resumption of in-person activities and the economic crisis have stalled mobile’s progress on the SDGs in 2022
For the first time since the GSMA began tracking the mobile industry’s contribution to the SDGs, progress has stalled. In 2022, 10 SDGs experienced a decline in mobile impact score. This was offset by an increase in impact scores for the other seven SDGs, meaning the average SDG mobile impact score was flat. This stands in sharp contrast to previous years, where the average annual impact score amounted to an improvement of 3.4 percentage points.
It is too early to say whether the slowdown in mobile’s contribution to the SDGs in 2022 is an isolated occurrence or the beginning of a shift in the overall trend. Nevertheless, it is valuable to delve into the factors that contributed to the slowdown.
The main reason is the decrease in proportion of mobile subscribers engaging in activities on their mobiles relevant to the SDGs. The biggest declines in usage were seen across mobile-enabled activities that experienced a surge in activity during the pandemic (see Figure 7). Although mobile use remains higher than pre-pandemic levels, the resumption of in-person engagement across sectors such as education and healthcare is likely a key driver of the decline in online activities.
The cost-of-living crisis also likely contributed to the decline in mobile use across certain online activities. Although mobile prices generally remain stable or in decline,[23] the global rise in inflation is putting pressure on consumers, potentially hindering their ability to fully utilise mobile services. While inflation is a broad phenomenon impacting most economies worldwide, its effect is particularly pronounced among lower-income groups in LMICs, as a significant portion of their household consumption expenditure is allocated to food, utilities and other essentials. This aligns with the findings of the GSMA consumer survey, which showed that the most significant declines in mobile use were observed among survey countries in developing Asia Pacific.
The impact of the cost-of-living crisis is also likely to be a factor in the slowdown in the reduction of the usage gap in 2022 (see Figure 2). It also appears to be affecting progress in reducing the gender gap. Women in LMICs are using mobile internet more than ever before, but their rate of adoption slowed for the second year in a row in 2022.[24] While 61% of women across these countries now use mobile internet, only 60 million women started using mobile internet in 2022, compared to 75 million in 2021. The rate of adoption among men also slowed in 2022, highlighting that progress on digital inclusion for all has stalled across LMICs. Consequently, the gender gap in mobile internet remained relatively unchanged in 2022. Women in LMICs are 19% less likely than men to use it, which equates to around 310 million fewer women than men.
No Data Found
Source: GSMA Intelligence
Data is sourced from the GSMA Intelligence Consumers in Focus Survey, comprising more than 50,000 respondents and covering 52 countries during 2017–2022.
Figure 7: A bar chart showing the percentage of mobile users engaging in an activity on a mobile device. The chart shows a large spike in usage between 2019 and 2021. In 2022, mobile use either declines or remains steady across each of the five activities (make video calls, use mobile financial services, improve education, access government services and improve/ monitor health).
Looking ahead to 2030
However, the flat average SDG impact score for 2022 underlines the uncertainty associated with assuming the continuation of the earlier growth trend. The mobile industry and its partners must therefore increase the pace and scale of their impact to maximise mobile’s contribution. To help with this, several calls to action for mobile operators, governments and other stakeholders are included below.
Unlocking growth in mobile and mobile internet adoption
While mobile penetration is approaching saturation in high-income countries, there remains room for growth in many large, underpenetrated low- and medium-income markets. For example, India and Sub-Saharan Africa are expected to account for 60% of new mobile subscribers globally during 2022–2030, enabling an additional 620 million people to unlock the benefits of mobile services.
Mobile internet adoption will also continue to rise, reaching almost two thirds of the population by 2030. Affordability (primarily of handsets) and skills remain the two greatest barriers to mobile internet adoption and use. Improvements to the former partly rely on an improving economic outlook.
No Data Found
Source: GSMA Intelligence
Figure 8: A line chart showing the percentage of people subscribing to mobile and mobile internet services between 2022 and 2030. Mobile penetration is expected to rise from 69% of the population to 74% of the population in the period. Meanwhile, mobile internet penetration is expected to rise from 57% to 65% in the same period.
Actions to drive mobile internet adoption
Approaches to improve affordability should include efforts to lower the cost of internet-enabled handsets and data, innovative data pricing strategies and handset-financing options, as well as providing targeted subsidies and tax policies that promote the uptake of internet-enabled devices and data service.[27]
Accelerating the use of mobile-enabled services
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Source: GSMA Intelligence
Figure 9: A stacked bar chart showing the proportion of total mobile connections by technology between 2022 and 2030. The chart shows a significant increase in 5G adoption, rising from 12% in 2022 to 55% in 2030. During the same period, there is a notable drop in 4G adoption, declining from 60% in 2022 to 36% in 2030.
Several mobile-enabled activities lack the scale required to drive the industry’s SDG contribution as much as possible. For example, less than 45% of mobile subscribers in Sub-Saharan Africa use mobile to make video calls or watch free video (compared to more than 70% of subscribers in Europe and North America). These applications aid several online activities, including e-learning, telehealth and remote working. However, they require users to connect with networks capable of handling increased traffic loads and achieving reduced latency. In Sub-Saharan Africa, driving the adoption of 4G technology, which accounts for a quarter of mobile connections as of mid-2023, will therefore be essential to expand mobile use to its full potential.
Conversely, advanced markets will focus on promoting 5G adoption. North America, East Asia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets are leading the way in 5G adoption. Globally, 5G will overtake 4G in 2029 to become the dominant mobile technology. This is significant for scaling mobile’s contribution to the SDGs as research shows 5G subscribers make greater and more frequent use of digital services on their smartphones, compared to 4G users.[28]
Actions to drive the use of mobile-enabled services
A study by the Broadband Commission reported that between $428 billion and $2 trillion of investment was needed to ensure universal connectivity. It also concluded that the investment, funding and financing models that enabled earlier infrastructure development and its utilisation no longer suffice.[29] To augment and expand on the current models, the study recommended broadening the base of contributors to include companies participating in and benefitting from the digital economy. It argues such contributions should be sustainable and predictable, managed efficiently and disbursed in a timely and prioritised manner. By supporting investments to enhance network quality, new funding models can facilitate the adoption of more bandwidth-intensive mobile services, helping to amplify the impact of mobile technology on the SDGs.
There is a need to expand the availability of local content and services to scale mobile’s impact on the SDGs, particularly in LMICs. Governments should take the lead by accelerating the digitisation of public services, including e-government services, healthcare and education, taking a mobile-first approach.
Startups play an important role in delivering digital solutions that drive mobile internet use in LMICs.[30] These companies require different kinds of partnerships – with private-sector players, governments and other stakeholders – to scale their solutions for the underserved. For example, partnerships with mobile operators can provide additional expertise and resources as well as access to certain hard-to-reach segments.
Scaling IoT solutions
Total IoT connections are expected to more than double between 2022 and 2030, helping to tackle global challenges such as climate change, and to address regional challenges in key sectors including agriculture, energy, manufacturing and transportation. For example, GSMA Intelligence estimates that 15% of the CO2 savings required in manufacturing in the 10 years to 2030 (assuming a target of net zero by 2050) can come from mobile and digital technology, such as IoT, visual analytics, intelligent cameras, mobile assets (e.g. robots and drones for better oversight and remote operations) and remote collaboration of workers[31].
IoT is still in its early stages of development in most LMICs. However, several use cases related to the SDGs will experience rapid growth over the next decade across these countries[32]. These use cases include mechanisation access services in agriculture, smart metering, and pay-as-you-go access to clean cooking fuels. Such advancements in IoT are poised to deliver a range of benefits, supporting mobile’s contribution to the SDGs.
A prime example of this progress can be seen in the swiftly expanding off-grid energy sector, which is increasingly leveraging IoT-enabled micro-grids and pay-as-you-go services. The sector is approaching maturity in some markets, playing a pivotal role in meeting the targets set by SDG 7. Notably, off-grid energy has emerged as the most cost-effective solution for electrification, benefiting 41% of the population currently without access to power[33].
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Actions to drive IoT adoption
Most IoT use cases require a mix of skills and resources, as well as a partnership-based model. In markets where IoT is still nascent, operators can scout regional and local tech hubs to identify relevant startups or build their own IoT-centric incubators (e.g. Orange 5G Lab Dakar, and XL Axiata’s X-Camp in Indonesia).
In cases where government entities are also major service providers (for example, in centralised energy and water), there is the opportunity for public procurement to act as an accelerator of IoT adoption through large-scale deployments. Governments can also support IoT adoption by formulating national standards and specifications for IoT devices, such as smart meters.
Driving sustainable development through AI
Mobile operators are increasingly using AI to generate innovative solutions, analyse complex data and identify patterns that can support decision-making. By leveraging AI’s capabilities to optimise and automate networks, for example, operators can provide a better service and enable people to do more on their devices[34]. AI can also support real-time analysis and cross-cell optimisation, which can help operators use their energy resources in a more efficient manner.[35] Furthermore, the combination of anonymised mobile data with AI empowers operators to provide valuable products and services, benefiting governments, public agencies, energy providers and other commercial organisations. This can help tackle climate change and pollution, in addition to driving improvements in areas such as healthcare and transportation.[36] Additionally, these tools can be used to better prepare and respond effectively to extreme weather, natural disasters and infectious diseases.
AI will continue to evolve at a rapid pace. The launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT to the public in October 2022 sparked a wave of generative-AI launches among big technology companies. Among early applications, the most prominent use cases pertain to content development.[37] In the longer term, generative AI has the potential to inform new and creative solutions to complex problems pertaining to the SDGs, such as climate change, food insecurity, healthcare and education.[38]
However, AI raises a number of ethical concerns, highlighting the need for multi-stakeholder efforts and collaborative decision-making to ensure a safe and inclusive digital future. The mobile industry has been at the forefront of several initiatives to ensure AI is designed, developed and deployed in a responsible and ethical way that is human-centric and rights-oriented.
Safeguarding against AI risks and threats
The mobile industry is committed to the ethical use of AI in its operations and customer interactions to protect customers and employees, remove any entrenched inequality and ensure that AI operates reliably. This commitment is demonstrated by recent mobile industry initiatives, including the following:
The global mobile industry has published the AI Ethics Playbook [39] and a related self-assessment questionnaire as practical tools to help bridge the gap between ethical principles and ethical practice[40]. The Playbook explains how AI systems should be designed, developed and deployed in accordance with the principles of fairness, human agency and oversight, privacy and security, safety and robustness, transparency, explainability and accountability, with full consideration of the potential environmental impact.
Working through the GSMA, the mobile industry has developed the Mobile Privacy Principles, which describe the way privacy should be respected and protected when consumers use mobile applications and services that access, use or collect their personal information. They are not intended to replace or supersede applicable law, but are based on recognised and internationally accepted principles on privacy and data protection. The key overarching objective of these principles is to foster business practices and standards that deliver meaningful transparency, notice, choice and control for mobile users with regards to their personal information and the safeguarding of their privacy.
Final reflection: unlocking the potential of mobile
With billions of people relying on mobile as their primary means of accessing the internet, it has enabled engagement with a multitude of life-enhancing services. Moreover, mobile serves as the linchpin of the digital economy, propelling innovation and acting as a catalyst for transformation across different sectors. Mobile also serves as a crucial component in combating climate change, with operators making rapid advances in their own decarbonisation efforts while offering valuable solutions to other industries.
However, at the halfway point, it is clear that progress is not happening at the pace and scale needed to maximise the mobile industry’s contribution to achieving the SDGs. There is an urgent need to release the untapped potential of the industry, as countries with higher rates of mobile connectivity will achieve greater SDG impact.
By prioritising sustainable and inclusive digital transformation and actively engaging the mobile sector on this journey, governments and the international community can help spur tangible benefits for citizens and economic prosperity.
This will be achieved through the following:
Ensuring continuous industry commitment to drive and scale SDG impact through integrating purpose into core business
Reforming policy to support sustainable levels of investment in mobile broadband infrastructure, contributing to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, which in turn enables the industry to impact a range of other SDGs
Driving use of mobile-enabled activities and scaling IoT solutions to drive enterprise digitisation
Tapping into the potential of AI, big data analytics and mobile innovation to address societal challenges
Leveraging the role of the international community, UN agencies and multilateral development banks to prioritise investment in digital development
Impact per Region
- ITU and UNDP Report
