Mobile Investment Gaps: Pacific Islands

More than half the population in the Pacific Islands remains unconnected to mobile internet. 5G deployment remains in its infancy, accounting for less than 1% of all mobile connections in the region as of the end of 2024.

To meet digital inclusion and transformation goals, it is crucial to understand how the 4G+ mobile internet connectivity gap will evolve through to 2030 under current market conditions in the Pacific Islands. To this end, GSMA Intelligence quantified the investment required to achieve 4G+ connectivity targets and the additional funding needed to bridge 4G+ coverage and usage gaps by 2030.

While progress is possible under existing market conditions in the Pacific Islands, it will be limited and likely fall short of targets. By 2030, a significant investment gap will remain unless reform is implemented to unlock investment, improve returns and affordability, and remove the barriers hindering adoption and digital inclusion.

(Report revised in June 2025: data on page 18)