We’re pleased to announce today that the GSMA has officially joined the Alliance for Affordable Internet as a member.
The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide. Spanning more than 220 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world’s mobile operators with 250 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and Internet companies, as well as organisations in industry sectors such as financial services, healthcare, media, transport and utilities. The GSMA will now work closely with the other members of the Alliance to help to create the conditions for open, competitive and innovative broadband markets via policy and regulatory reforms.
Sonia Jorge, Executive Director of A4AI, highlighted the significance of today’s announcement, saying:
“Despite recent falls in prices, mobile broadband remains prohibitively expensive in most developing countries. A4AI’s recent affordability report highlighted that for those living on less than $2 a day, mobile broadband costs in excess of 20% of monthly incomes in many countries, and skyrockets to as much as 48% of income in Colombia, and 35% in Zambia.
“A4AI is tackling the regulatory and policy barriers that keep prices artificially high. Working with the GSMA and its members to lower cost structures and develop innovative delivery approaches will be a significant boost to our efforts. We must drive broadband prices down rapidly to enable billions more – particularly women and under-served rural communities – to access the life-changing potential of the Internet.”
A GSMA press release regarding today’s announcement is available here. Further information on the GSMA is available at: www.gsma.com. A4AI’s full list of members can be viewed here: www.a4ai.org/members.