Bangladesh comes bottom among 12 surveyed low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in smartphone
ownership and mobile internet usage, according to a latest GSMA report.
The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2024 shows 41 per cent of urban residents and 26 per cent of rural inhabitants own smartphones.
On the other hand, mobile internet usage is slightly higher at 43 per cent in cities and 27 per cent in villages.
These figures place Bangladesh ahead of only Ethiopia and Uganda in the group.
The report identifies critical barriers to mobile internet adoption in Bangladesh.
A lack of digital literacy stands out as a significant challenge, affecting 28 per cent of urban and 19 per cent of rural people.
High costs of smartphones also hinder access, with 8.0 per cent of urban and 11 per cent of rural users unable to afford the devices.
Additionally, urban users often cite security concerns as a deterrent.
Despite these challenges, there has been some progress.
Awareness of mobile internet has grown modestly, increasing from 72 per cent in 2019 to 75 per cent in 2023.
However, this improvement in awareness has not translated into significant increases in usage.
Daily internet usage remains limited, with 40 per cent of urban residents and only 24 per cent of rural users accessing the internet regularly.
The report underscores that Bangladesh must address the affordability of devices, improve digital literacy, and alleviate security concerns to close the gap in mobile internet usage with its peers.
Without targeted interventions, it risks falling further behind in realising the economic and social benefits of widespread mobile internet connectivity.
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