Socio-Economic Benefits of 5G: The importance of low-band spectrum

Africa has expanded mobile broadband coverage significantly, but a substantial connectivity gap remains. This report examines how spectrum availability, pricing and licensing conditions affect operators’ ability to expand coverage, improve network quality and support digital adoption. It provides a comprehensive assessment of Africa’s current spectrum policy and licensing landscape, highlighting key challenges around spectrum assignments, pricing, licence obligations, technology neutrality, spectrum roadmaps and licence duration.

Closing Africa’s connectivity gap will require coordinated action by governments, the private sector, development partners, civil society and other stakeholders to overcome persistent barriers to digital inclusion. This study provides evidence-based analysis of the structural and demand-side constraints that limit connectivity. It assesses existing digital inclusion initiatives and identifies opportunities to strengthen the ability and motivation of underserved groups to adopt and use internet services.

Asia Pacific is entering a new phase of digital development. As digital platforms become integral to economic activity, public services, finance, communications and emerging technologies such as AI, trust becomes a critical enabler of digital transformation. This report examines the trust imperative across Asia Pacific, examines the results of the Digital Nations Index in the context of trust, outlines the role of mobile operators as guardians of digital trust, and presents priorities for strengthening the foundations of digital trust for governments, regulators, operators and international cooperation institutions.