New Delhi
India’s 5G rollout has expanded global mobile connectivity, adding coverage for nearly 750 million more people in 2023. It was reported on Wednesday that over half of this increase came from operators in India. The rollout has improved the overall mobile experience, with global average download speeds rising from 34 Mbps to 48 Mbps. The most significant increase occurred in South Asia, led by India’s 5G launch, where download speeds increased by 70%.
In rural India, smartphone ownership has increased, going against the trend seen in other countries. It was noted that mobile internet users with higher literacy levels in India engage in a wider variety of online activities than those with lower literacy levels. However, even mobile users with lower literacy levels in India participate in at least eight different online activities weekly, exceeding averages in other regions.
Despite progress, 3.45 billion people worldwide remain unconnected. It was estimated that connecting these people could add $3.5 trillion to the global economy by 2030. It was emphasized that progress in network infrastructure and mobile internet adoption is ongoing, but many users access only one or two online services regularly. This highlights the need for meaningful connectivity to unlock the full potential of mobile internet. Currently, 4.6 billion people, or 57% of the global population, use mobile internet, while 350 million still live in areas without any mobile coverage.
