GSMA Prioritizes 6G Development, AI Threat Mitigation, and Digital Inclusion

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

The GSMA board highlights smartphone affordability, combating AI-driven fraud, sustained investment in networks, and international cooperation on 6G standards as key connectivity priorities.

The GSMA board of directors recently convened in New Delhi to set critical priorities for the global mobile sector, emphasizing the importance of affordable internet access, cyber fraud prevention, network investment, and international collaboration on future 6G standards. Despite 97% of the world's population having mobile broadband coverage, approximately 3.4 billion people remain without mobile internet access, largely due to device affordability barriers. Basic internet-enabled phones can cost up to 44% of the average monthly income for the poorest 20% in low- and middle-income countries, underscoring the need for measures like financing plans, targeted tax relief, and closer cooperation between device manufacturers and memory suppliers to reduce costs.

The GSMA also identified scams and cyber fraud as growing threats, noting that while the mobile industry is enhancing network detection and cyber defense tools, no single sector can tackle these challenges alone. Particular concern was raised about AI-generated content and deepfakes, which increase risks to consumers, public trust, and governmental objectives. The association called for unified industry efforts to implement practical solutions against these scams.

Sustained investment in mobile networks was stressed as essential, supported by favorable policies to accelerate connectivity growth. The GSMA predicts the economic value of mobile technologies and services will reach $6 trillion in 2025, representing 6.4% of global GDP, and is expected to nearly double to $11.3 trillion by 2030. Between 2025 and 2030, operators are projected to invest $1.2 trillion in capital expenditures to expand and upgrade networks, with 57% of mobile connections anticipated to be 5G by decade's end.

Vivek Badrinath, GSMA's Director General, highlighted the sector's next priority as turning 5G expansion into real value and enabling broader digital economy participation, requiring ongoing investment, supportive policies, and ecosystem collaboration. Looking ahead, the GSMA reaffirmed support for global standards and spectrum harmonization, especially concerning the 6 GHz upper band favored by countries accounting for over 80% of the global population. This band can provide the wide channel bandwidths—between 200 MHz and 400 MHz—expected for 6G technology.

Gopal Vittal, GSMA President, stated that "working with global standards and collaborating across markets can accelerate innovation and strengthen trust and resilience" as the industry advances next-generation connectivity.