Session
GSMA
Josef Noll, Basic Internet Foundation Jonathan Muringani, Basic Internet Foundation Ruth Orbach, GMSA
Josef Noll, Basic Internet Foundation Jonathan Muringani, Basic Internet Foundation Ruth Orbach, GMSA
Organization's Website
Speakers
Ruth Orbach, GSMA
Jonathan Muringani, Basic Internet Foundation
Josef Noll, Basic Internet Foundation
Onsite Moderator
Ruth Orbach
Rapporteur
Josef Noll
SDGs
1. No Poverty
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Targets: Digital inclusion, particularly through the provision of reliable and accessible mobile internet, is a driver of improved livelihoods and wellbeing through access to crucial services, financial inclusion, and information. This lightning talk covers the impact of mobile internet use and access, speaking directly to the importance of SDGs 1 and 9.
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Targets: Digital inclusion, particularly through the provision of reliable and accessible mobile internet, is a driver of improved livelihoods and wellbeing through access to crucial services, financial inclusion, and information. This lightning talk covers the impact of mobile internet use and access, speaking directly to the importance of SDGs 1 and 9.
Format
Introduction (5 mins): Briefly introduce the topic and background including comparative mobile internet adoption rates globally. Outline the key questions to address during the talk. Main content (21 mins): Discussion of well evidenced themes around mobile internet access and use in LMICs including mobile money and remittances, education and business development (7 mins). We will also investigate notable gaps in the evidence base, including disinformation, scams and frauds, use of mobile internet for entertainment and explore why these gaps may exist (7 mins). Discuss the implications of these evidence gaps and broader understanding of the evidence around mobile internet access and use for how to shape effective programming and policies. Conclusion and Q&A to summarise key points and open for any discussion (5 min)
Duration (minutes)
30
Description
In collaboration with the host country (UiO and Basic Internet Foundation) this lightning talk will provide an overview of the impact of mobile internet access and use in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), with a focus on identifying gaps in mobile internet coverage and adoption. The session will explore key questions, such as the individual-level impacts — both positive and negative — of mobile internet use in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The talk will highlight gaps in the evidence base that explain both the impacts of mobile internet use and the slower pace of adoption in LMICs. Additionally, the session will reflect on how the available data reinforces existing insights, such as the significant role of gender-related barriers in driving the mobile internet usage gap, and what these gaps mean for policy and advocacy efforts aimed at improving access. The overall objective is to help participants understand the global importance of expanding mobile internet adoption, particularly in LMICs, and how filling these knowledge gaps can inform strategies to improve coverage and usage.
The talk will be interactive, engaging both in-person and online audiences. It will focus on a web-based evidence gap map, which will be used to highlight areas where evidence is abundant and where gaps remain on specific themes. The session will be moderated to ensure active participation from both in-person attendees and virtual participants, incorporating questions and discussion points from both groups.
The talk will be interactive, engaging both in-person and online audiences. It will focus on a web-based evidence gap map, which will be used to highlight areas where evidence is abundant and where gaps remain on specific themes. The session will be moderated to ensure active participation from both in-person attendees and virtual participants, incorporating questions and discussion points from both groups.