All research

The recent announcement that the government in Malaysia has granted a second nationwide 5G licence removes what was in effect an infrastructure monopoly and paves the way for a dual-network model. This report highlights how the move to a 5G dual-network model is the right one for customer choice, long-term financial sustainability and Malaysia's competitiveness as a tech and services economy.

Industries worldwide are undergoing significant digital transformation, fundamentally reshaping how businesses operate and interact. At the core of this shift, connectivity is a crucial enabler. While the economic benefits of mobile connectivity are well documented, the broader impact of digital transformation across industries remains less understood. This study offers empirical evidence on how the latest wave of digital technologies is fuelling economic growth.

Mobile connectivity across Asia Pacific has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past 10 years, with significant improvements in download/upload speeds and latency. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, this study explores how quality-of-service (QoS) regulations are evolving in the region.

We examine the economic case for a potential market-based solution where LTGs face a price signal for the usage of the public network. By focusing on a general principle rather than a specific scheme design, we review the potential of payments as an instrument to improve economic efficiency, which could translate into improved consumer and societal outcomes, such as greater network quality, increased innovation and a general improvement in the pace of digitalisation and the benefits this brings to society. We conclude that under the current regulatory framework, the outcome can be sub-optimal due to insufficient incentives for LTGs to use networks efficiently.

While the transformative socioeconomic impacts of digital technologies are well established, a digital divide persists in Africa, where around two thirds of the population do not currently use mobile internet. Against this backdrop, the GSMA has launched the Digital Africa Index - an interactive web tool to support policymakers and regulators.

Setting aside dedicated spectrum for enterprises has been seen as a way of incentivising private network adoption and digitalisation. This research is the first of its kind to apply robust statistical analysis to the impact of spectrum set-asides. The results highlight the need to consider the unintended and undesired consequences of spectrum set-asides, particularly as there is no evidence of a clear benefit.

With stakeholders becoming increasingly informed and discerning in their assessment of sustainability claims, the need for a robust and consistent approach to measuring and communicating sustainability performance has reached a new level of importance.

The government of Indonesia is keen to build a digital nation, in which digital technologies help to improve the livelihoods of citizens and drive productivity across the economy. This has been highlighted in several digitalisation plans announced in recent years. This report highlights key policies and actions required to realise the Indonesian government's vision.

Indonesia is among the largest and fastest-growing digital economies in Asia-Pacific. While the government's digital roadmap for 2021-2024 recognises ICT infrastructure as a key enabler of digital transformation, realising this vision will only be possible if the country's operators have access to the right amount and type of affordable spectrum.

This report is the final of a three-part series on the technological and business implications of sustainability in the telecoms industry. The focus of this report is reputation and external relations, and how perceptions among all touchpoints for telecoms operators are realigning towards a green set of priorities.

To understand the performance of universal service funds (USFs) in Africa, the GSMA conducted an extensive study. This included a survey of stakeholders, including USF authorities, government ministries and service providers. The results highlight structural and operational challenges requiring urgent attention from policymakers and USF authorities.

Assigning radio spectrum to those who can make the most efficient use of it is crucial to maximise the socioeconomic benefits derived from digital services and infrastructure. In Latin America, mobile connectivity remains the foremost form of internet connectivity, particularly because for many it is the only form of connectivity. However, to provide mobile internet services, operators need access to spectrum licences.

Underpinning the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a shared promise by every country to work together to secure the rights and wellbeing of everyone on a healthy, thriving planet. However, at the halfway point on the way to 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are in deep trouble. This report demonstrates the mobile industry's continued commitment to the goals, and identifies areas where the industry needs to improve or accelerate its actions to achieve the 2030 Agenda.

GSMA Intelligence's Chart of the Month is a visual way of telling an important story in the mobile and broader tech ecosystem. In this edition, we highlight the fall in the average price paid for mid-band 5G spectrum over the last two years, reflecting initiatives by policymakers to set reserve prices at levels that allow the market to determine the true value.

In this joint study with Economist Impact and Huawei, we look at the role of infrastructure today and analyse the key challenges and opportunities ahead. Key strategic issues include disentangling which digital technologies are going to be most in demand; the network transformations required by telecoms providers; and the extent to which operators can capitalise on the new wave of growth and business opportunities that are appearing in the market.

In 2020, Ethiopia allowed non-banks to provide mobile money services - a key step in advancing financial inclusion and driving growth. This study looks at the rapidly evolving mobile money ecosystem, and opportunities to boost adoption and usage.

By 2030, 5G will account for nearly 60% of total mobile connections in Latin America. However, unleashing the full potential of 5G requires policy measures to support network investment and improve the affordability of digital services for consumers. This report examines 5G in the context of Latin America's connectivity landscape and the policies required to accelerate 5G development.

This report assesses the UK's position on drone market readiness against a set of international peers. From this analysis, we can define best practices that can be applied domestically to help UK policymakers advance an effective regulatory system to realise commercial drone flight at scale - and unleash the economic, social and environmental benefits this entails

Between 2014 and 2021, the number of people in Latin America with mobile internet access nearly doubled. Despite this spectacular growth, 230 million people remain without access to mobile internet. This report examines the limitations of the current design of universal service funds (USFs) and proposes reforms and alternative options to expand 4G connectivity levels by 2030.

The quarter of Brazil's population not using mobile internet services despite living within coverage of mobile broadband represents a key challenge. This research identifies the primary barriers to mobile internet use in the country.

The journey to 5G has started in Africa and is gathering pace across the region. 5G network ecosystem players in the region must find ways to deliver cost-effective and efficient 5G networks with an implementation strategy that balances investment and value creation.

The Mobile Money Regulatory Index has proven to be useful in stimulating debate on the reforms that may be undertaken in more restrictive mobile money markets and, ultimately, help support the efforts of the mobile industry, governments and wider international development community to accelerate the deployment of mobile money, especially among populations that are financially underserved.

While 5G has now been launched across the EU, European markets are not showing the same levels of adoption reported in North America and East Asia, where operators have moved beyond non-standalone 5G and are rolling out standalone networks. This infographic highlights the differences between the regions in terms of 5G adoption levels, and contrasts the levels of operator capex for 2021.

GSMA Intelligence's Chart of the Month is a visual way of telling an important story in the mobile and broader tech ecosystem. From the shape and size of markets to trends in consumer behaviour, we aim to provide food for thought through informative visuals designed to bring colour and clarity to complex issues facing the industry. In this edition, we look at the 'inverted U' relationship between competition and investment.

The mobile industry plays a crucial role in driving digital transformation and is well placed to support the realisation of Digital Pakistan. To continue on this path, mobile industry players must be able to roll out the required digital infrastructure and innovative services to bridge the digital divide and accelerate the adoption of digital solutions.

Despite its ambitions, Europe has lagged behind its economic peers when it comes to the adoption and deployment of 5G. An important question is whether market conditions, such as competition dynamics, sufficiently incentivise the investments needed to achieve Europe's 5G targets and offer advanced 5G services. In this report, we assess how competition dynamics in Europe impacted investment and mobile network performance during 2011-2021.

This analysis outlines the findings of a GSMA survey of national regulatory authorities and mobile operators in Sub-Saharan Africa to understand the impact of TTMS implementations in the region. It concludes that governments need to reassess their approach to telecoms traffic monitoring, with a view to utilising secure, more efficient and cost-effective methods in line with international best practices.