GSMA Warns of AI Divide as Smartphone Costs Threaten Digital Inclusion — The GSM Association

Event summary

GSMA's 2026 State of Mobile Internet Connectivity (SOMIC) Report highlights 3.4 billion people without mobile internet access despite 90% living within broadband coverage.
Rising smartphone component costs driven by AI infrastructure demand are pushing entry-level smartphone prices out of reach for low-income consumers.
Handset affordability is the top barrier to mobile internet adoption in low- and middle-income countries, followed by lack of digital skills.
Closing the mobile usage gap could generate $3.5 trillion in additional GDP between 2023 and 2030, with 90% of benefits flowing to low- and middle-income countries.

The big picture

The GSMA's warning underscores a growing tension between the rapid advancement of AI and the persistent digital divide. As AI transforms economies, the risk of a new global divide between those who can afford to participate in the digital economy and those who cannot is becoming increasingly apparent. The report highlights the critical role of affordable smartphones in bridging this gap, with broader implications for economic growth and social equity.

What we're watching

Affordability Crisis: How rising smartphone component costs will affect adoption rates in low- and middle-income countries.
Policy Response: Whether coordinated action from policymakers, mobile operators, and device manufacturers can mitigate the AI divide.
Economic Impact: The pace at which closing the mobile usage gap could unlock $3.5 trillion in additional GDP.