2015 has been a year of continued growth in the mobile industry, with more than 76 billion mobile connections1 (representing 4.7 billion unique subscribers) and operator revenues of more than $1 trillion. The acceleration of 4G has been a major highlight; the global 4G connection base passed the 1 billion mark in late 2015. 4G networks are now available in 151 countries across the world.

The global subscriber penetration rate now stands at 63%, with regional penetration rates ranging from 43% in Sub-Saharan Africa to 85% in Europe. However, overall subscriber growth rates continue to slow, due to saturation in developed markets and the difficulties of connecting low-income populations in developing markets. The global subscriber base will reach 5.6 billion by the end of the decade, by which point over 7〇％ of the world’s population will have a mobile subscription.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1 INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
1.1 Mobile growing, but at a slowing pace
1.2 Technology migration underway
1.3 Revenue and investment trends

2 MOBILE DRIVING GROWTH AND INNOVATION ACROSS THE WORLD
2.1 Mobile industry delivering growth and jobs
2.2 Mobile driving innovation across the world
2.3 GSMA activities to support the developing mobile ecosystem

3 MOBILE ADDRESSING SOCIAL CHALLENGES IN THE
DEVELOPING WORLD
3.1 Addressing the barriers to digital inclusion
3.2 Delivering financial inclusion across the world
3.3 Disaster response: the central role of mobile technology
3.4 Mobile addressing social challenges in developing markets

4 RETHINKING REGULATION
4.1 New era, new approach
4.2 Safeguarding competition
4.3 Consolidation benefitting consumers