Covid-19 impact: digital divide exposed further in emerging markets

Access this insight with a Standard plan. Contact our sales team to get started.
Report details
Covid-19 impact: digital divide exposed further in emerging markets
The Covid-19 pandemic and resulting widespread shift in working patterns and increased demand for home entertainment have thrust communications and the resiliency of telecoms networks to the fore. In recognition of the vast number of people and organisations that drive or depend on such networks, our latest series of Insight Spotlights examines the implications of Covid-19 across the telecoms, media and technology sector. In this analysis, we focus on the impact on the telecoms sector in emerging markets. We investigate the role mobile plays in keeping people connected in these markets, the factors feeding into revenue downturns, and how network buildouts and entertainment services are likely to be affected as lockdowns continue.
Report details
Covid-19 impact: digital divide exposed further in emerging markets
Related research
Digital Nations 2026: Accelerating the digital leap in Japan
The government and private sector in Japan have intensified their efforts to make a decisive ‘digital leap’ – a shift away from the incremental modernisation of legacy systems towards a bold, comprehensive transformation aimed at establishing a fully integrated, human-centred digital nation. By examining Japan’s recent digital policies and initiatives, this research reveals the strategic pillars and underlying factors supporting the country’s accelerated 'digital leap'.
Network API demand index: a vertical-sector view
Monetisation is the key objective in 2026 for telcos on APIs (as with other business lines) and their distribution partners, with the implications for go-to-market strategies being different depending on the API and buyer. It is important to quantify the commercial potential and buying likelihood of APIs across different sectors of the economy to accurately orient supply. To that end, GSMA Intelligence has developed the Open Gateway Demand Index, which aggregates a range of metrics to help understand where demand lies and the commercial opportunity for network APIs in each sector.
The winner, the biggest mover and the surprise: what operators focused on at MWC 2026
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. This edition looks at which topics telecoms operators focused on at MWC Barcelona 2026.
Authors
How to access this report
Annual subscription: Subscribe to our research modules for comprehensive access to more than 200 reports per year.
Enquire about subscriptionContact our research team
Get in touch with us to find out more about our research topics and analysis.
Contact our research teamMedia
To cite our research, please see our citation policy in our Terms of Use, or contact our Media team for more information.
Learn moreRelated research
Digital Nations 2026: Accelerating the digital leap in Japan
The government and private sector in Japan have intensified their efforts to make a decisive ‘digital leap’ – a shift away from the incremental modernisation of legacy systems towards a bold, comprehensive transformation aimed at establishing a fully integrated, human-centred digital nation. By examining Japan’s recent digital policies and initiatives, this research reveals the strategic pillars and underlying factors supporting the country’s accelerated 'digital leap'.
Network API demand index: a vertical-sector view
Monetisation is the key objective in 2026 for telcos on APIs (as with other business lines) and their distribution partners, with the implications for go-to-market strategies being different depending on the API and buyer. It is important to quantify the commercial potential and buying likelihood of APIs across different sectors of the economy to accurately orient supply. To that end, GSMA Intelligence has developed the Open Gateway Demand Index, which aggregates a range of metrics to help understand where demand lies and the commercial opportunity for network APIs in each sector.
The winner, the biggest mover and the surprise: what operators focused on at MWC 2026
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. This edition looks at which topics telecoms operators focused on at MWC Barcelona 2026.
- 200 reports a year
- 50 million data points
- Over 350 metrics
