Mobile industry creates Connected Economy

MOBILE

The GSMA has announced new research findings that demonstrate the positive, long-term economic impact of the global mobile industry.

The research, developed by A.T. Kearney, GSMA Wireless Intelligence and Machina Research, indicates that global mobile industry revenues will grow from USD1.5 trillion dollars in 2011 to USD1.9 trillion in 2015.

The data also predicts significant growth in mobile industry employment; today, more than 8 million people around the world are employed by companies in the mobile ecosystem, and by the end of 2015, mobile industry jobs will grow to approximately 10 million.

"The mobile communications industry is creating a “Connected Economy” across the globe, through network investment, job creation and contributions to public funding,” said Anne Bouverot, Director General, GSMA.

“Clearly, as the economic indicators show, the mobile industry is success story, particularly in light of the lingering worldwide economic crisis. Perhaps even more powerful, though, is how mobile is transforming adjacent industries, such as education, healthcare, payments and transactions, transportation and utilities. Mobile is connecting the world as no other technology has before."

Over the next four years, 2012 through 2015, the mobile industry will invest USD793 billion in capital and contribute USD2.7 trillion to public funding1 across the globe.

Beyond the global economic impact, mobile is a significant factor in the growth of local economies. According to the World Bank, a 10 % increase in mobile penetration drives a 0.6% increase in a developed country’s GDP and a 0.81%  increase in a developing country’s GDP. In low-to-middle income countries, a 10% increase in Mobile Broadband penetration yields a 1.4% increase in GDP.