Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News
    • Mobile

    GSMA Report Finds Mobile Internet Access Soaring Globally

    By
    Don Reisinger
    -
    September 19, 2017
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      PrevNext

      1GSMA Report Finds Mobile Internet Access Soaring Globally

      GSMA Report Finds Mobile Internet Access Soaring Globally

      Mobile connectivity is being embraced by people around the world in ways that is helping to improve their lives, according to a new study from the GSM Association, a trade group that represents mobile service providers. The study, titled, “2017 Mobile Industry Impact Report: Sustainable Development Goals,” looks at mobile connectivity in 2016 and how the mobile industry has improved access to the internet. It also examines how people around the globe are using mobile connections to consume data and looks at what the mobile industry needs to do to further improve global connectivity. The report highlights how far mobile connectivity has come in such a short period of time.

      23G Connectivity Is Everywhere

      3G Connectivity Is Everywhere

      Around the world, 3G connections covered 83 percent of the population in 2016, up from 79 percent in 2015, according to GSMA. Carriers have expanded their infrastructure investment to boost internet availability.

      3Half the World’s Population Have Access to 4G

      Half the World’s Population Have Access to 4G

      By the end of 2016, more than half of the world’s population, or about 4 billion people, had access to 4G networks, according to GSMA. 4G connectivity offers improved network quality, which plays “a critical role before and during epidemics, conflicts and natural or climate-related disasters,” the group noted.

      4Millions of People Gain Access to Mobile Service Each Year

      Millions of People Gain Access to Mobile Service Each Year

      There are now 4.8 billion mobile subscriptions worldwide, and 3.5 billion people are using mobile networks to access the internet. Carriers around the world added 350 million new mobile internet subscribers in 2016.

      5Money Services Go Mobile

      Money Services Go Mobile

      Mobile money service use, which allows people to access bank accounts and transfer cash, is also soaring. In 2015, there were 450 million mobile money accounts around the world. That figure increased 23 percent to 555 million registered accounts in 2016.

      6Social Network Use Continues to Soar

      Social Network Use Continues to Soar

      The use of social networks such as Facebook, Instagram and others is also soaring. In 2015, there were 2 billion social media users globally. By the end of 2016, that number jumped to 2.5 billion, with no signs of a slowdown coming anytime soon.

      7Mobile Broadband Speeds Are Rising

      Mobile Broadband Speeds Are Rising

      In addition to improved access to mobile networks, users around the world are enjoying faster network speeds. In 2016, the average mobile broadband download speed was 16.6Mbps, a significant increase over the average download speed of 13.5Mbps in 2015.

      8What About Machine-to-Machine Connections?

      What About Machine-to-Machine Connections?

      Machine-to-machine connections, which enable wireless devices to communicate on mobile networks, also increased sharply, hitting 410 million units worldwide last year. That was up 32 percent from the 310 million connections GSMA calculated in 2015.

      9Mobile Shopping Is on the Rise

      Mobile Shopping Is on the Rise

      Mobile shopping is also proving to be popular. By the end of 2016, 1.5 billion people globally used a smartphone or tablet to purchase products from their devices. That figure just beat out the 1.3 billion people who used mobile devices to access government services.

      10Even the Agricultural Sector Is Going Mobile

      Even the Agricultural Sector Is Going Mobile

      Interestingly, people in the agricultural sector are also seeing value in mobile products. According to GSMA, there were 13 million more people in 2016 using mobile agricultural services, a 54 percent increase from the prior year.

      11GSMA Initiatives to Support Mobile Internet Growth

      GSMA Initiatives to Support Mobile Internet Growth

      Looking ahead, GSMA clearly believes there is plenty of room for growth. In support, GSMA is taking on several initiatives in the next year to improve mobile internet connectivity, including promoting “Big Data for social good” as well as the Connected Women Commitment Initiative to reduce the gender gap. GSMA also plans to invest in internet of things development and work with governments to ensure better access to the internet.

      PrevNext

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Android

      Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro: Durability for Tough...

      Chris Preimesberger - December 5, 2020 0
      Have you ever dropped your phone, winced and felt the pain as it hit the sidewalk? Either the screen splintered like a windshield being...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Why Data Security Will Face Even Harsher...

      Chris Preimesberger - December 1, 2020 0
      Who would know more about details of the hacking process than an actual former career hacker? And who wants to understand all they can...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      How Veritas Is Shining a Light Into...

      eWEEK EDITORS - September 25, 2020 0
      Protecting data has always been one of the most important tasks in all of IT, yet as more companies become data companies at the...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      How NVIDIA A100 Station Brings Data Center...

      Zeus Kerravala - November 18, 2020 0
      There’s little debate that graphics processor unit manufacturer NVIDIA is the de facto standard when it comes to providing silicon to power machine learning...
      Read more
      Apple

      Why iPhone 12 Pro Makes Sense for...

      Wayne Rash - November 26, 2020 0
      If you’ve been watching the Apple commercials for the past three weeks, you already know what the company thinks will happen if you buy...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×