GSMA Launches Innovation Fund for Rural Connectivity

GSMA Calls for Applications to Develop Solutions to Improve Rural Connectivity in Ghana and Uganda

London: The GSMA today launched a new Innovation Fund for Rural Connectivity, aimed at expanding digital inclusion through innovative new technology solutions for connecting unserved rural communities. The Fund is backed by the UK's Department for International Development (DFID) and managed by the GSMA. The Fund will provide grants up to £300,000 and is open to eligible companies who can deploy solutions in Uganda or Ghana, in partnership with MTN Uganda and Vodafone Ghana respectively. Funded projects will test innovative ways to deploy mobile broadband networks in rural areas, looking to demonstrate commercially sustainable models that can be scaled and replicated in similar environments.

Mobile operators are committed to advancing connectivity in rural areas as they work to deliver commercially sustainable solutions to accelerate progress against the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said John Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer, GSMA. The Innovation Fund for Rural Connectivity will drive partnerships aimed at developing new ways of using mobile technologies to close coverage gaps in rural areas so that more citizens have access to life-enhancing mobile services.

Projects eligible for funding will test innovative ways to deploy mobile broadband networks in rural areas, in partnership with a mobile operator, and projects will need to demonstrate commercially sustainable models that can be scaled and replicated in similar environments. Successful grantees and their partners will receive advice and guidance from the GSMA, including analytical support to identify commercially viable sites for deployment, and full technical and commercial performance reports. Applications will need to focus on at least one of the following areas: active base station technology; passive infrastructure; energy; backhaul; operation and maintenance; or sustainable business models.

Connectivity Drives Social and Economic Benefits

Mobile internet connectivity brings a wide range of social and economic benefits, helping to promote digital inclusion and supporting the delivery of essential services and key development objectives such as poverty eradication, healthcare, education, financial services and gender equality. The UN's Sustainable Development Goals recognises the importance of connectivity and include a specific target on ensuring universal and affordable access to the internet.

According to the GSMA's Connectivity Index1, more than two-thirds of the global population is now connected to the internet. The GSMA's recent Mobile Industry Impact Report2 highlights that countries with high levels of mobile connectivity have made more progress in meeting their SDG commitments. The study shows that mobile is continuing to expand its reach, with 400 million more people benefiting from mobile connectivity since 2015, but more work needs to be done, particularly in rural areas.

Giusti continued, Deploying infrastructure in remote areas can be twice as expensive as in urban areas, with smaller revenue opportunities. The challenge is not only to bring mobile internet coverage to rural areas, but to do so in a way that ensures long-term commercial sustainability. Innovation and partnership will be essential to addressing this challenge, and the Innovation Fund can play a key role in identifying new ways of using mobile technology to connect the unconnected.

For further information on the GSMA's Innovation Fund for Rural Connectivity please get in touch with the GSMA Connected Society Programme at www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/connected-society/

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

1The GSMA Mobile Connectivity Index measures the performance of 163 countries against four key enablers of mobile internet connectivity - infrastructure, affordability, consumer readiness and content and services. This web tool allows you to explore the data used in the Index and compare countries across all metrics. www.mobileconnectivityindex.com

2The 2018 Mobile Industry Impact Report was authored by GSMA Intelligence, the research arm of the GSMA. The report provides summaries on mobile's impact on all 17 SDGs, alongside in-depth analysis on five selected SDGs that showcase innovative case studies of operator initiatives supporting the Goals. Click here to download the report.

About the GSMA

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators with over 350 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces the industry-leading MWC events held annually in Barcelona, Los Angeles and Shanghai, as well as the Mobile 360 Series of regional conferences.

For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.

Media Contacts:

Beau Bass

+44 79 7662 4962

beau.bass@webershandwick.com

GSMA Press Office

pressoffice@gsma.com

About The Department for International Development (DFID)

We lead the UK government's work to end extreme poverty. Find out more at www.gov.uk/dfid

Contact our Press Office: 020 7023 0600 (Overseas +44 20 7023 0600)

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