GSMA Highlights 6G Development, AI Risks, and Smartphone Affordability as Connectivity Priorities

Image: Illustrative image · Bjoertvedt · CC BY 3.0 · Source

The GSMA board emphasizes global cooperation on 6G standards, addressing AI-driven scams, enhancing smartphone affordability, and boosting network investment to expand mobile connectivity and digital inclusion worldwide.

At its recent board meeting in New Delhi, the GSMA outlined key priorities for the mobile industry aimed at expanding connectivity and addressing emerging challenges. Despite 97% of the global population living within mobile broadband coverage, approximately 3.4 billion people remain unconnected to mobile internet, largely due to the high cost of devices. The GSMA noted that an entry-level internet-enabled handset costs about 44% of the average monthly income for the poorest 20% in low- and middle-income countries, presenting a significant barrier to digital inclusion.

To improve affordability, the GSMA suggested potential measures such as financing schemes, targeted tax reductions, and enhanced collaboration between device manufacturers and memory suppliers. Beyond affordability, the GSMA also raised concern over increasing scams and fraud, particularly noting the amplified risks posed by AI-generated content and deepfakes. The association urged collective industry efforts to develop practical solutions combating these cybersecurity threats as no single sector can manage them alone.

The GSMA stressed the importance of sustained investment and supportive policies to accelerate connectivity growth. Mobile technologies and services are projected to generate $6 trillion in economic value by 2025—equivalent to 6.4% of the global GDP—and expected to rise to $11.3 trillion by 2030. Operators are forecasted to invest $1.2 trillion in capital expenditure between 2025 and 2030, expanding and upgrading networks to support an anticipated 57% of mobile connections on 5G by decade’s end.

GSMA Director General Vivek Badrinath emphasized the need to translate the expansion of 5G networks into meaningful digital economy participation for more people, highlighting that sustained investment, enabling policy frameworks, and ecosystem collaboration are crucial to this goal.

Looking ahead, the GSMA reaffirmed its support for global standards and harmonized spectrum allocation in the continued development of 6G. Notably, countries encompassing over 80% of the world’s population back mobile usage of the upper 6GHz band, expected to provide the necessary 200MHz to 400MHz channel bandwidths anticipated for 6G technology.

GSMA Chair Gopal Vittal stated that global standardization and cross-market collaboration will accelerate innovation while enhancing trust and resilience as the mobile industry prepares for the next generation of connectivity.

This comprehensive agenda, presented by the GSMA board, underscores the mobile industry's commitment to addressing affordability, security, investment, and standardization challenges in advancing global digital inclusion and future network technologies.