5G has reached three billion people, transforming how they connect, communicate, and work every day.
In bustling cities, it delivers instant video calls, fast downloads, and seamless access to online services.
However, millions in poorer nations still face a distant dream, unable to access reliable technology.
5G Reaches Billions
A new report from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) highlights this growing divide, showing who struggles to keep up.
Globally, six billion people now use the internet, marking an increase of over 240 million compared with last year.
Yet 2.2 billion remain offline, and most of them live in low- and middle-income countries, missing out on digital benefits.
ITU secretary-general, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, explained, “The divide today depends not just on connection, but on speed, reliability, affordability, and digital skills.”
The Connectivity Gap
In high-income countries, 84% of people access 5G, while low-income nations reach only 4%, revealing a stark imbalance.
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Additionally, a typical mobile user in a wealthy country consumes nearly eight times more data than someone in a poorer nation.
Even though 3G and 4G networks reach most people, they cannot fully support AI, digital learning, and healthcare services.
Furthermore, mobile broadband costs remain too high in around 60% of low- and middle-income countries, restricting opportunities.
While basic digital skills exist widely, advanced abilities like content creation and cyber safety remain scarce.
Bridging The Divide
Director of the ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, emphasised that governments and organisations must coordinate globally to direct infrastructure, skills, and data resources where they matter most.
Ultimately, the story of 5G shows contrasts: for some, it transforms lives; for others, it remains only a promise.
