TelecomTV TelecomTV
  • News
  • Videos
  • Channels
  • Events
  • Network Partners
  • Industry Insights
  • Directory
  • Newsletters
  • Open RAN
  • Digital Platforms and Services
  • 5G
  • Access Evolution
  • Private Networks
  • Cloud Native
  • Edge
  • Open Networking
  • Sustainability
  • AI, Analytics and Automation
  • 6G Research and Innovation
  • Security
  • More Topics
  • Network Partners
  • Industry Insights
  • Directory
  • Newsletters
  • |
  • About
  • Contact
  • |
  • Connect with us
  • 5G
  • 6G Research and Innovation
  • Access Evolution
  • AI, Analytics and Automation
  • Cloud Native
  • Digital Platforms and Services
  • Edge
  • Open Networking
  • Open RAN
  • Private Networks
  • Security
  • Sustainability
  • Connect with TelecomTV
  • About
  • Privacy
  • Help
  • Contact
  • Sign In Register Subscribe
    • Subscribe
    • Sign In
    • Register
  • Search

Sustainability

Sustainability

Mobile industry continues to close the digital divide says GSMA

Via GSMA

Sep 29, 2020

  • In 2019, the mobile industry increased impact across all 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals for the 5th year in a row
  • Mobile connectivity has driven significant economic, social and environmental gains
  • To maximise the mobile industry’s contribution to the SDGs by 2030, operators and key stakeholders must accelerate the pace and scale of their efforts

25 September 2020, London For the fifth year in a row the mobile industry has increased its impact across all 17 SDGs enabling essential services for people and businesses. 2019 was the industry’s most impactful year as the industry increased its SDG impact score by 4.7 percentage points. With over half of the world’s population in lockdown this year, the world’s dependence on digital technology to access essential communications has become acutely evident.

The rapid expansion of mobile coverage in recent years resulted in 5.1 billion individuals using a mobile phone and 3.8 billion using mobile internet. Compared to 2015 levels, this represents an increase of 600 million and 1.1 billion people respectively. We are making headway in closing the digital divide through robust investment made by the mobile industry.

Despite these efforts, there is more to do. The UN is calling the next ten years, the Decade of Action. Mobile technology is fast becoming a fundamental part of our lives, yet 600 million people are still without mobile coverage. The usage gap is larger and prevents people from benefitting from the vital services offered by mobile technology. Addressing both is critical as the report highlights that increased adoption and usage of mobile services drives a better and more sustainable future for all. A failure to close the digital divide will not only accentuate the challenges of global inequality but will also likely result in an uneven recovery from the effects of COVID-19.

“Mobile technology remains a critical force in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges. We are seeing many examples of this as we work through unprecedented times.” said Mats Granryd, Director General of the GSMA. “As an industry, we are uniquely positioned to drive significant economic, social, and environmental gains. We will continue to build a more inclusive world during this Decade of Action by collaborating across the ecosystem to accelerate impact.”

The report emphasises that operators have an opportunity to build on their existing efforts and work with governments and other partners to drive positive, global impact. It also outlines some of the specific calls to action for each SDG, ranging from enhancing digital literacy skills for women and girls to reduce gender inequality to licensing sufficient and affordable spectrum to spur the building of resilient infrastructure.

The mobile industry has been contributing to economic and social development for more than two decades by bringing connectivity to people and enabling essential services like Mobile Money, Digital Identity, Education mHealth and Internet of Things. As we begin the Decade of Action, there has never been a more critical moment to accelerate digitisation.

The GSMA’s ‘2020 Mobile Industry Impact Report: Sustainable Development Goals” report is available here.

Related Topics
  • 4G LTE,
  • Coronavirus,
  • Enterprise,
  • Global,
  • GSMA,
  • Industrial IoT,
  • Media & Entertainment,
  • Mobile,
  • Policy & Regulation,
  • Smart Cities,
  • Smart Homes,
  • Telco & CSP,
  • Tracker

More Like This

Sustainability

Zain joins UN Global Compact initiative for responsible business practices

Aug 8, 2022

Sustainability

Sustainability to push datacentre infrastructure spend to $31bn by 2026

Aug 5, 2022

Sustainability

Energy efficiency for retailers: Technology partnership between T-Systems and Envision Digital enables CO2 reduction of up to 15 percent

Aug 4, 2022

Access Evolution

Globe Seeks More Property Partners in Push for Built-in Broadband, Telco Space in Developments

Aug 3, 2022

Open RAN

Show us the money: Open RAN TCO is proving elusive…

Aug 1, 2022

This content extract was originally sourced from an external website (GSMA) and is the copyright of the external website owner. TelecomTV is not responsible for the content of external websites. Legal Notices

Email Newsletters

Stay up to date with the latest industry developments: sign up to receive TelecomTV's top news and videos plus exclusive subscriber-only content direct to your inbox – including our daily news briefing and weekly wrap.

Subscribe

Top Picks

Highlights of our content from across TelecomTV today

0:46

The Cloud Native Telco Summit returns this September!

8:32

Azita Arvani on Being a Female Leader at Rakuten Symphony

16:19

AT&T Amy Zwarico on securing telco applications in the public cloud

1:44

Join us for the greatest industry debate of the year!

TelecomTV
Company
  • About Us
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
Our Brands
  • DSP Leaders World Forum
  • Great Telco Debate
  • TelecomTV Events
Get In Touch
[email protected]
+44 (0) 207 448 1070
Connect With Us
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
  • Terms of Use
  • Legal Notices
  • Help

TelecomTV is produced by the team at Decisive Media.

© Decisive Media Limited 2022. All rights reserved. All brands and products are the trademarks of their respective holder(s).