Expanding mobile coverage - Campaigns

Increasing access to the internet is one of the great challenges of our time. Currently, around half of the world’s population are not connected. This restricts access to jobs, education, healthcare and, more widely, the information needed to fully participate in social, political and economic life.

On this page you will find a wealth of information that looks at every aspect of how we can help close coverage and usage gaps. Highlighting the need for real partnership between government and mobile operators, we shine a light on initiatives where industry and government, working together, are enhancing coverage and access, helping to connect everyone and everything to a better future.

THE POSITION PAPER

The GSMA’s position paper on coverage addresses issues such as spectrum availability and pricing; license terms and conditions; infrastructure sharing; and state interventions.

THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This executive summary recaps the position paper, and looks at how governments and regulators are collaborating with mobile operators to extend rural connectivity.

THE USE CASES

France

As part of a “New Deal Mobile”, the mobile operators took on obligations to address rural coverage in exchange for not having to compete for the renewals of several spectrum bands.

Tunisia

With financing from its Universal Service Fund, Tunisia’s Ministry of Telecommunications launched a call for tenders to design one or more national operators to improve coverage.

UK

With financing from the government and all four of the country’s mobile operators, a new shared network will increase geographic coverage to 90 per cent for all subscribers.

New Zealand

In New Zealand, a Mobile Black Spot Fund has been created to provide 4G and wireless broadband connectivity to at rural homes and businesses, state highways and tourist hotspots.

Peru

To help connect communities in rural areas, a group including Telefónica and Facebook, have launched open access wholesale provider Internet para Todos.

Ghana

The Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), Vodafone and the GSMA partnered to deploy innovative mobile internet connectivity solutions for rural communities.

MORE RESOURCES

Network Coverage Maps

The GSMA’s members continuously update their network coverage and submit their latest coverage data to the GSMA. The result can be found on our dedicated network coverage page.

Spectrum pricing

Spectrum pricing has never been more vital. Additional spectrum is needed to expand and upgrade capacity and coverage. Here we collect the GSMA’s position paper and research on this topic.

Rethinking mobile taxation to improve connectivity

This GSMA report analyses mobile sector taxation over time and its impact on connectivity. It, for example, aims to highlight how specific taxes can reduce affordability and citizens’ ability to participate in digital society.