GSMA warns AI boom could deepen digital divide

GSMA warned that rising component prices due to AI infrastructure demand are making mobile internet less affordable in low- and middle-income countries. Memory prices more than doubled from Q3 2025 to Q1 2026, then rose another 80–90% in Q2 2026.

• Memory prices more than doubled from Q3 2025 to Q1 2026, up another 80–90% in Q2 2026
• Growth in new mobile internet users slowed to 160 million in 2025 from 190 million in 2024
• 38% of world population (3.1 billion) live in coverage but do not use mobile internet
• A budget smartphone costs the poorest 20% in Sub-Saharan Africa 76% of monthly income