The GSM Association posted its Mobile Internet Connectivity Report for 2023, revealing 55% of the world's population – about 4.3 billion people – now own smartphones. According to its data, mobile internet users are 4.6 billion, with 4 billion of them accessing the services via smartphones. GSMA's report revealed a disparity between regions and their accessibility to mobile internet. The growth of mobile internet usage is not surprising, but approximately 3.4 billion people remain unconnected. According to GSMA, the global percentage of people living in areas with mobile broadband but not using it is 38%.

Source: The North Africa Journal October 13, 2023 19:05 UTC