Making Internet-Enabled Phones More Affordable in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Around the world, 3.4 billion people are not using mobile internet despite living in areas with mobile broadband coverage. The affordability of internet-enabled handsets is a key barrier to using mobile internet and is of growing concern. Indeed, the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused disposable household income to drop, making handsets less affordable for many. This report by the GSMA provides an overview of approaches, business models and technological innovations that are improving the affordability of internet-enabled handsets in low- and middle-income countries, particularly for underserved populations.