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The digital divide persists: billions of people still without mobile internet

Auteur: Aïcha FALL

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Le fossé numérique persiste : des milliards de personnes toujours privées d’internet mobile

According to the GSMA's 2024 report, 3.4 billion people worldwide remain disconnected from mobile internet, despite global coverage now reaching 96%. This paradox reveals a profound usage divide, where the real obstacle is no longer infrastructure but the price of devices.

In many low- and middle-income countries, purchasing a smartphone represents an unsustainable financial burden. For the poorest households, the cost of a device can consume up to 48% of their annual income, making digital access nearly impossible. This economic barrier keeps millions of families excluded from essential services, from online education to financial transactions and access to health information.

This alarming finding underscores that the battle for digital inclusion is no longer fought solely on the level of networks, but rather on the level of accessibility. Without affordable devices, mobile internet remains a privilege rather than a shared right, further widening the inequalities between those who benefit from digital opportunities and those who are excluded.

In response to this situation, the GSMA is calling for a collective effort, involving governments, industry, and financial stakeholders, to make phones more accessible. Bridging this digital divide is essential to building a more equitable global society and giving everyone the opportunity to fully participate in the digital economy and digital citizenship.

Auteur: Aïcha FALL
Publié le: Mercredi 10 Septembre 2025

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