Mobile Phone Users Expected To Cross 5 Billion in 2017

Two third of the entire world population has mobile subscription – a total of 4.8 million unique subscribers, according to GSM Intelligence’s Mobile Economy report.

The report indicated that ten countries will account for for 72 percent of growth with new mobile connections and subscriptions worldwide. Asia Pacific accounts for two thirds of the 860 million new subscribers, which are expected globally by the end of the decade.

India alone will be adding 310 million new unique subscribers in the coming three years whereas Pakistan will be adding 17 million. The uptick in the number of subscribers is due to improved affordability, falling prices of mobile hardware and in better network coverage.

The study also highlighted a trend which shows that mobile industry’s growing contribution leads to economic activity and social development, which is a positive sign for any country. GSMA Director General, Mats Granryd said:

“Mobile is a global platform that today supports two-thirds of the world’s population, delivering the connectivity and infrastructure that is powering new digital economies and addressing socio-economic challenges.”

Speaking about numbers, telecom sector accounts for 4.4 percent share of world GDP, which was worth $3.3 trillion dollars last year. The numbers are expected to improve by 2020 by 0.5 percent for economic value equivalent to $4.2 trillion.

The mobile ecosystem also improved the employment ratio as the telecom sector employed 28.5 million people directly or indirectly, a figure it said would rise to 30.9 million by 2020. The report also added that the mobile sector also contributes in tax receipt.

It is expected to grow to $500 billion by 2020, up from $450 billion last year, not including revenue from spectrum auctions, worth almost $19 billion in 2016.

Moreover, future investment is certain as the 5G connectivity is set to bring even faster data connections. The total investment in new technologies will exceed $700 billion by 2020.

Although 4G has been widely used by the subscribers, rising from the current market penetration of 21 percent to 41 percent by 2020, 5G will soon take over due to its features. The 5G technology will enable the users to download full HD films in less than one second.

The report also mentioned that in 2016, total of 580 4G networks were launched in 188 countries covering two third of the world population.

SEO Team Lead, Content Strategist, and an avid sports lover!



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