According to the GSMA analysis, there will be 5.5 billion mobile internet users worldwide by 2030

September 4, 2023 Samson Ayodeji

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By 2030, there will be 5.5 billion mobile internet users worldwide, according to a report titled The Mobile Economy 2023. This is 9% larger than 2022’s penetration rate of 55%, or 64%. The research, which was released by GSMA, also offers other insights into the mobile connection market.

It is impossible to overstate the value of internet connectivity to society. Worldwide interaction, business creation, and economic expansion are all made possible by the Internet. The government and telecom corporations work to spread the internet throughout all areas for this reason.

The most vulnerable individuals in areas afflicted by armed conflict and natural disasters are able to maintain connectivity thanks to mobile telephone service, which continues to be a lifeline for society. The executive summary of the study stated, “It is also allowing sophisticated networking capabilities needed by verticals to innovate amid different political, social, and macroeconomic challenges.

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The analysis projects that by 2030, there will be 6.3 billion unique mobile subscribers or a 73% penetration rate. For reference, in 2022 there were 5.4 billion subscribers. It is important to note that the GSMA anticipates that between 2020 and 2030, low-penetration regions like Sub-Saharan Africa will account for almost half of all new mobile users globally.

The GSMA predicts that by 2030, smartphone connections will increase from 76% to 92%. Revenues and investments for telco operators are expected to increase from $1.07 trillion in 2022 to $1.20 trillion in 2030. According to the research, 5G penetration would increase from 12% in 2030 to 54% in 2023.

The GSMA predicts a sharp decline in 4G connections together with the growth of 5G connections. The GSMA report predicts a decline in 4G penetration from 60% in 2022 to 36% in 2023. Given that 5G is the most technologically advanced internet connectivity option, it is anticipated that 3G and 4G would have fewer connections.

Smartphone use in Sub-Saharan Africa will reach 87% in 2030.

Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be a major market for feature phones, in contrast to regions of Europe and North America where smartphones are widespread. Statista research revealing that more than half of the 40 to 50 million mobile phones sent to Africa were basic supports this assertion. Despite this development, the GSMA forecasts that in 2030, smartphone adoption in Sub-Saharan Africa will rise from 51% to 87%.

According to the estimate, 5G will exceed 4G in 2029 to overtake it as the predominant mobile technology. As of January 2023, 229 commercial networks were operational, and more than 700 5G smartphones had been made available. 200 of those 5G-capable smartphones were interestingly introduced in 2022.

Author

  • Samson Ayodeji

    I am literally obsessed with technology. I love writing about the latest news in technology in different markets, segments and sectors across the world.

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