Billions Risk Being Locked Out of the AI Revolution Due to Smartphone Costs

Billions risk being locked out of the AI revolution due to smartphone costs

A new GSMA report finds that 3.4 billion people remain offline despite living within mobile broadband coverage, as rising component costs push smartphones further out of reach for the world's poorest.

GSMA warns rising smartphone costs could deepen Nigeria’s mobile internet gap

The Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) has warned that rising smartphone component costs could threaten digital inclusion as internet-enabled devices become less affordable in emerging markets, including Nigeria.

AI's Next Divide Isn't Who Uses It. It's Who Can Afford a Phone

A new GSMA report warns that surging memory chip prices, driven by the AI boom itself, are pricing billions of people out of the internet entirely

GSMA warns of AI divide without affordable smartphone access

The GSMA today warned that the world risks creating a new global divide between AI “haves” and “have-nots” unless urgent action is taken to address the digital divide and make smartphones affordable for billions of people in low- and middle-income countries. Launching its State of Mobile Internet Connectivity (SOMIC) Report 2026, the GSMA, which represents […]

GSMA Warns Of Emerging Global AI Divide

3 billion people remain offline and smartphone component costs soar. It is time for urgent action to boost access to affordable smartphones and ensure AI reaches everyone.