The slower uptake of mobile internet subscriptions in Africa is due to a range of factors, notably the lack of ability or willingness to own and use a smartphone. Affordability is the main reason for the comparatively low level of smartphone adoption in Africa. There is widespread agreement among stakeholders about the importance of increasing smartphone adoption in Africa by improving both affordability and accessibility, but progress remains slow due to persistent and complex barriers faced by the most vulnerable groups. This analysis draws on survey data from consumers in eight markets: the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Togo, and Zambia, as well as insights from other countries across the continent.

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 viewing trends for Netflix and the streaming market.

This edition of the Industry Checkpoint series focuses on consumer devices, highlighting how the market has changed in the last six months and the implications. The report considers four major developments: innovation in smartphones spanning both emerging form factors and fundamental features; new advancements and innovations in XR hardware and OS; important developments in the handheld games console market; and major milestones in the smartphone eSIM market.

For industry players, the developments at CES have important implications for the road ahead. For operators, for example, this includes the area of network quality of service and the opening up of potential new revenue opportunities. To help navigate the key announcements, developments and implications from the show, this report focuses on four key areas of innovation: consumer devices, smart home, digital entertainment and automotive.

Leveraging data from the 2025 survey, conducted between June and August, this report provides relevant insights into how the consumer behaviour is changing across eight topic areas: 5G; devices; eSIM; generative AI; pay TV; gaming; the metaverse and extended reality; and sustainability.

This dashboard, based on GSMA Intelligence 2025 consumer survey, provides all the relevant data related to eSIM user behaviour in a consistent and structured way – a valuable asset for companies looking to formulate or adjust their consumer commercial strategies and plans.

This dashboard, based on GSMA Intelligence 2025 consumer survey, provides all the relevant data related to gaming user behaviour in a consistent and structured way – a valuable asset for companies looking to formulate or adjust their consumer commercial strategies and plans.

This dashboard, based on GSMA Intelligence 2025 consumer survey, provides all the relevant data related to 5G user behaviour in a consistent and structured way – a valuable asset for companies looking to formulate or adjust their consumer commercial strategies and plans.

This dashboard, based on GSMA Intelligence 2025 consumer survey, provides all the relevant data related to generative AI user behaviour in a consistent and structured way – a valuable asset for companies looking to formulate or adjust their consumer commercial strategies and plans.

This dashboard, based on GSMA Intelligence 2025 consumer survey, provides all the relevant data related to pay-TV and video services user behaviour in a consistent and structured way – a valuable asset for companies looking to formulate or adjust their consumer commercial strategies and plans.

This dashboard, based on GSMA Intelligence 2025 consumer survey, provides all the relevant data related to device user behaviour in a consistent and structured way – a valuable asset for companies looking to formulate or adjust their consumer commercial strategies and plans.

This dashboard, based on GSMA Intelligence 2025 consumer survey, provides all the relevant data related to metaverse user behaviour in a consistent and structured way – a valuable asset for companies looking to formulate or adjust their consumer commercial strategies and plans.

The key change over the last six months has been telecoms operators using AI in their product portfolios to enhance commercial efforts, particularly with enterprise segments. In the US alone, 50% of the new AI deployments since June 2025 have had a revenue objective. As well as recent developments from the telco AI space and the Telco AI tracker, this edition also provides a deep dive on AI's contribution to operator energy consumption.

Satellite constellation volume ramped up in H2 2025, in preparation for phased commercial launches in 2026. The focus continues to be on direct-to-device (D2D). Starlink has deployed almost 80% of its initial 12,000-strong constellation. Amazon and AST SpaceMobile are among the chasing pack. Both have big aspirations for their constellations but have different motivations.

Operator strategies continue to evolve in the digital era as the telecoms industry seeks to capture new growth opportunities in the consumer and enterprise markets. Assessing innovation and achievements is more important than ever before. GSMA Intelligence's operator case studies provide a concise and consistent way to shine a light on and analyse operators' strategies and business models, as well as how they are launching new services. This edition examines the approach of LG Uplus in the fixed broadband market.

Operator strategies continue to evolve in the digital era as the telecoms industry seeks to capture new growth opportunities in the consumer and enterprise markets. Assessing innovation and achievements is more important than ever before. GSMA Intelligence's operator case studies provide a concise and consistent way to shine a light on and analyse operators' strategies and business models, as well as how they are launching new services. This edition explores Brisanet's mission to connect people by promoting digital and social inclusion via its fixed broadband strategy.