New study reveals over half of the world now owns smartphones

WEB DESK: In a recent study conducted by Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), it was revealed that 54 per cent of the global population, approximately 4.3 billion people, now possess smartphones.

The findings were presented in GSMA’s State of Mobile Internet Connectivity Report (SOMIC), indicating a consistent rise in global smartphone usage.

More than half of the world’s population now own mobile devices capable of accessing the internet on the go.

The report highlights a significant increase in mobile internet connectivity, with 57 per cent of the world’s population now connected, up from 55 per cent at the close of 2021.

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Among smartphone users, 69 per cent accessed the mobile internet through 4G-enabled devices, while 17 per cent utilised 5G-enabled devices.

This proliferation of 4G and 5G phones is primarily concentrated in developed markets, whereas developing markets still heavily rely on 3G and 2G technology.

In regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, the prevalence of 4G-capable smartphones remains low, with 69 per cent of mobile internet users relying on 3G-capable devices. A similar scenario, although less pronounced, can be observed in the Middle East and North Africa segment, where 33 per cent continue to use devices limited to 3G.

Despite the progress, the growth of mobile internet users appears to be slowing. In 2022, the increase was only 200 million, compared to 300 million in both 2021 and 2020.

This trend is surprising given the vast untapped potential for growth, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

For instance, in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, 59 per cent and 52 per cent of the populations, respectively, do not use mobile internet, despite having access to mobile networks.

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Globally, mobile network coverage stands at approximately 95 per cent, but a staggering 3.4 billion people remain unconnected to the mobile internet.

This digital divide poses significant challenges as the world becomes increasingly interconnected, emphasising the urgent need to bridge this gap to ensure equitable access to digital resources.