Acknowledgements

Mobile networks are the key digital infrastructure fuelling the economic and social development in emerging markets.

However, deploying this infrastructure is very costly and requires long payback periods, especially in rural and remote areas where expected revenues are low.

Lack of reliable information on coverage and demographics makes it difficult for investors to build accurate business plans to deploy new infrastructure in rural areas. The GSMA, with the support of mobile network operators, created the Mobile Coverage Maps tool to improve information availability and increase the amount of investment reaching rural areas, connecting the remaining unconnected populations and closing the digital divide.

Conscious of the importance of connectivity for other commercial and developmental projects, the GSMA has made all the coverage maps public for everyone, hoping to enrich the digital ecosystem in emerging markets.

This work is made possible through the support of our donors:

This initiative is currently funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and supported by the GSMA and its members.

This work is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The contents are responsibility of GSMA and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida, is a government agency working on behalf of the Swedish parliament and government, with the mission to reduce poverty in the world. Through our work and in cooperation with others, we contribute to implementing Sweden’s Policy for Global Development.