The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2025: Barriers to Mobile Internet Adoption and Use
This insight is open to all subscribers and registered users, or available by completing the form.
The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2025 series draws on a range of data to analyse key trends since 2015. It considers the importance of not just mobile broadband coverage but ‘meaningful connectivity’ – users having a safe, satisfying, enriching and productive online experience that is affordable in their context. Achieving meaningful connectivity requires an understanding of both the barriers and enablers, including the fundamental enablers of affordability, knowledge and skills, safety and security, and relevant content and services.
This fifth report in the series focuses on the barriers people face to adopting mobile internet and using it more, as well as how these differ by country and whether they live in a rural or urban area.
The findings of this report series are based on the GSMA Consumer Survey, the GSMA Mobile Connectivity Index and a range of other industry reports.
Report details
The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2025: Barriers to Mobile Internet Adoption and Use
Download the report
Complete the form to get instant access to this content. For easier access in the future, you can register for a free account here.
By submitting this form, you agree that your email address and related activity on the platform will be processed for the purpose of generating and providing the requested report. Your data will be shared with GSMA Intelligence for this purpose. For more information, please see the GSMA Intelligence Privacy Policy.
This report is from the The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity series
Discover more content from this seriesReport details
The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2025: Barriers to Mobile Internet Adoption and Use
Download the report
Complete the form to get instant access to this content. For easier access in the future, you can register for a free account here.
By submitting this form, you agree that your email address and related activity on the platform will be processed for the purpose of generating and providing the requested report. Your data will be shared with GSMA Intelligence for this purpose. For more information, please see the GSMA Intelligence Privacy Policy.
Related research
The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2026
By the end of 2025, the number of people using mobile internet increased to 4.8 billion people (59% of the global population). However, around 3.4 billion people still do not use mobile internet, and significant digital divides persist. As advancements in technologies such as AI accelerate the pace of digitalisation, it is more critical than ever to ensure no one is left behind. The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2026 provides the mobile industry and other stakeholders with a comprehensive overview of the trends in global connectivity, as well as insights on key barriers to mobile internet adoption and to further use of mobile internet among existing users.
The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2025: Affordability of Internet-Enabled Handsets and Data
The final report in this series explores how affordability of entry-level, internet-enabled handsets and various data bundles have changed over time, and how affordability impacts different segments of the population.
The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2025: Understanding Mobile Internet Use in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
This fourth report in the series goes beyond mobile internet adoption to examine how people actually use mobile internet. It looks at frequency of use, the range of online activities they engage in, and the differences in use across countries and demographics.
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 more- 200 reports a year
- 50 million data points
- Over 350 metrics
How can we support you?
Get in touch
Contact the GSMA Intelligence support team for help with your account, subscriptions, or access to reports and insights.
Newsletter
Subscribe to the GSMA Intelligence newsletter for the latest industry news and insights, delivered to your inbox.