Just posted to my Forbes column about the staggering cost of the global mobile internet gap, according to the GSMA, and why closing it could unlock trillions in economic value.
Despite all the talk of 5G, AI and even 6G, 3.4 billion people still aren’t using mobile internet. According to the GSMA, that’s a $3 trillion drag on the global economy.
In Qatar, I saw what’s possible when regulators and operators align incentives: no spectrum fees in exchange for strict coverage targets, resulting in dense nationwide 5G and penetration nearing 80%. But in many lower-income countries, adoption may only reach 20–30% by 2030. The real issue isn’t just coverage: it’s the “usage gap.” Billions live under a signal but remain offline due to cost, lack of devices, limited digital literacy or relevant content.
“From the perspective of regular users, a very well-designed 4G network offers essentially the same service as 5G,” one executive told me — a reminder that the benefits of connectivity aren’t just about speed, but about access.
The bigger debate now is who should pay to build and upgrade these networks, especially as streaming, machine traffic and AI consume ever more bandwidth. That raises tough questions about network neutrality, fair cost-sharing and whether charging big content providers will really help connect the billions still offline.