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GSMA: 95% of the world's people have access to the Internet, but 40% are still offline

Shulou Source: shulou.com Published: 2023-11-24 11:13:40 10月03日 Update

CTOnews.com, October 19 (Xinhua)-- according to the latest report released by the GSM Association, 95 percent of the world's people live in areas covered by mobile networks, but 40 percent are still offline. They say this huge gap has had a "far-reaching impact", especially in low-and middle-income countries where mobile connectivity is more important than broadband.

The report also points out that the continued rise in global mobile Internet usage has promoted digital inclusiveness, with nearly 300 million new Internet users in 2021, and the coverage gap has narrowed significantly in the past seven years, from 19 percent in 2015 to 5 percent in 2021.

In the report, GSMA highlighted four main reasons why so many people are still offline, including:

Lack of basic ability to understand words and numbers

Purchasing power (especially the purchasing power of mobile phones)

Available content and services

Safety and security issues

CTOnews.com learned that the report indicates that 94 per cent of the world's people who are still not online may come from low-and middle-income countries (located in rural areas) and women.

Without access to the Internet, these people do not have access to information and services on health care, education, e-commerce, financial services and income-generating opportunities, according to the report. it also weakens their ability to respond to events such as pandemics, climate change and the rising cost of living.

Commenting on the survey results, GSMA Director General Mats Granryd said: "although they live within the reach of the Internet, these 3.2 billion people still need help." He called on governments and organizations around the world to work with the mobile industry to make digital inclusion a real priority. He believes that removing barriers to the mobile Internet will also promote economic recovery, improve social mobility and gender equality, and change the lives of millions of people around the world.