Unique subscribers and mobile internet users: understanding the new growth story

GSMA Intelligence is today releasing its latest publication outlining the growth story for mobile subscribers and mobile internet users to 2025.

2017 was a milestone year for the mobile industry, with the number of people connected to mobile services surpassing 5 billion, and those accessing mobile internet services exceeding 3 billion.

There are still growth opportunities that by 2025 will push the number of unique subscribers to 5.9 billion globally, some 72% of the world’s population, or 78% of the addressable population.

The more significant opportunity however will lie in the growth of mobile internet users, which we anticipate will increase by 1.75 billion over the forecast period to reach 5 billion in total. China and India in particular will lead the charge, adding over 300 million new mobile internet users each.

With unique subscriber growth slowing, mobile internet adoption will increasingly become the key metric by which to measure the reach of the mobile industry.