The mobile industry is on the cusp of a technological revolution as it continues to expand its infrastructure and adopt cutting-edge innovations. Mats Granryd, in his final keynote speech as the GSMA director-general at Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2025, discussed the substantial progress made in connecting nearly six billion people globally. As the sector evolves, new themes such as the pivotal role of 5G in driving transformation, integration of artificial intelligence (AI), advanced connectivity, and sustainability initiatives have emerged at the forefront of discussions.
Substantial Progress and Ongoing Challenges
Expanding Infrastructure and Technologies
One of the remarkable achievements highlighted by Granryd is the creation of an extensive infrastructure comprising six million towers and vast cable networks. This large-scale setup has enabled the industry to reach impressive milestones in global connectivity. However, despite the widespread adoption of 5G technology, there remain significant gaps and challenges. Presently, there are over two billion 5G connections worldwide, but only 61 out of more than 300 networks have successfully implemented 5G Standalone—a crucial step for maximizing the technology’s potential. The complete deployment of 5G is essential for the sector to explore new revenue models and leverage AI and Open Gateway APIs effectively for sustained growth.
The challenge of investment returns continues to be a pressing concern for the mobile industry. Granryd acknowledged the widening gap between capital expenditure and revenue, which poses a significant threat to the industry’s financial health. While digital lifestyles have seen exponential growth, mobile operators’ revenue has not kept pace proportionately. To address this issue, Granryd called for innovative solutions such as Open Gateway to utilize network APIs, unlocking new markets and driving profitability. Access to future spectrum is also essential to maintain ongoing investments in mobile networks and to ensure their continued evolution and improvement.
The Promise and Potential of AI
The integration of AI into the mobile industry presents a transformative opportunity. Research indicates that generative AI could contribute up to $100 billion annually to the sector, thanks to its vast potential for optimizing operations and enhancing user experiences. The mobile industry is uniquely positioned to benefit from AI, being rich with data that can be harnessed responsibly to drive innovation. However, significant sums have been spent on securing spectrum in the past decade, and inefficiencies in its allocation due to governmental pricing remain a concern. Addressing these inefficiencies is critical to fully realize AI’s potential within the industry.
In particular, Granryd emphasized the importance of responsible AI integration, ensuring that the technology is leveraged ethically and with consideration for privacy and security. By doing so, the sector can maximize the benefits of AI while safeguarding user interests. The emphasis on ethical AI integration is also reflective of the industry’s commitment to sustainability and long-term growth. As the mobile sector looks forward, the synergy between AI and 5G will be paramount in driving future advancements and achieving robust, sustainable development.
Addressing the Usage Gap
Bridging the Digital Divide
One of the critical issues highlighted by Granryd is the significant mobile usage gap. Despite 3.1 billion people being covered by mobile networks, they do not use mobile internet due to various barriers such as affordability, lack of digital skills, restricted content access, and safety concerns. Addressing these challenges is not just a technological necessity but also an economic imperative. By bridging this divide and enabling broader access to mobile internet, the industry could potentially add $3.5 trillion to the global GDP by 2030, highlighting the profound economic impact of digital inclusion.
Closing this usage gap requires a multifaceted approach, incorporating policies and collaborations across various stakeholders. Efforts to improve affordability, enhance digital education, and ensure safer online environments are pivotal in bringing more people online. Granryd underscored the importance of collaborative efforts between governments, mobile operators, and technology providers in driving this agenda forward. By creating an inclusive digital ecosystem, the mobile industry can unlock significant socio-economic benefits and foster sustainable, inclusive growth.
The Future Direction and Leadership
The mobile industry stands at the brink of a revolutionary era, continuing to expand its infrastructure and embrace the latest technological advancements. In his final keynote address at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2025, Mats Granryd, outgoing GSMA director-general, highlighted the remarkable strides made in globally connecting nearly six billion individuals. As the industry advances, vibrant new themes have surfaced, becoming focal points in discussions. These include the crucial role of 5G technology in fostering transformation, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), the enhancement of connectivity, and the growing emphasis on sustainability initiatives. These innovations are not only reshaping the industry but also promising to change the way we interact with technology on a daily basis. The importance of these developments lies in their potential to enhance global communication, improve efficiency, and contribute to a more sustainable future in the tech world.