The 2023 internet connectivity report from GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications Association) unveiled that 4.3 billion people use their own smartphone. The report reveals that over half of the global population now has smartphone ownership. Additionally, the report indicated that the global count of individuals with internet access stands at 4.6 billion. While phone usage wasn’t particularly widespread in the past, it appears that the landscape is evolving. This shift is driven by the increasing variety of smartphone models and fierce competition among phone manufacturers striving to create devices suitable for all types of users.
Out of the 4.6 billion internet users, 4 billion of them access the internet via the smartphones. The internet speed varies in each region, while 69% of North America, East Asia, and the Pacific region have 4G-enabled devices, Africa is still predominantly using 3G.
According to the GSMA report, 3.4 billion people are still unconnected to the internet. Approximately half of the people living in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia lack internet access.
The GSMA director explained that limited internet access has many negative effects on people, including a lack of education services and restricted access to essential necessities and income opportunities in people’s daily life. It is revealed that the inability of impoverished people to access the internet has a significant impact on their lives.
Source: GSMA