However, the bigger issue is the 3.2 billion people, equivalent to 40% of the world’s population, who are covered by a mobile broadband network but face barriers that prevent them from getting online (the ‘usage gap’).These include:- A lack of literacy and digital skills- Affordability (particularly handset affordability)- Access to relevant content and services- Safety and security concerns and accessThe impacts of these challenges have far-reaching consequences, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where mobile is the primary – and in many cases only – form of internet access.“It’s time to make real strides on the journey to reach the 3.2 billion people who are not yet using mobile internet despite living within the footprint of mobile broadband networks.While important progress has been achieved in increasing internet adoption and usage, the report, which was funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) via the GSMA Mobile for Development Foundation, demonstrates that growth has been unequal and there is a growing digital divide between and within countries.Addressing the mobile internet usage gap will be a focus of this year’s Mobile World Congress Africa event in Kigali, Rwanda, which starts next week."