The number of internet users globally grew tremendously due to digital transformation through new technologies. The affordability of smartphones and the roll-out of 5G-enabled mobile devices augmented the demand for mobile internet connections. The demand from the residential segment also grew over the years, and with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the demand increased. Online businesses remain the major contributors to such growth, with small and large businesses adopting the digital medium to achieve growth and increase customer reach. Businesses registered some recovery in 2021 with the gradual decrease in COVID-19 cases globally, which led to an increase in the use of the internet by the business segment.
The global internet subscriber base grew 9% in 2021, reaching 6,388 million users. The subscriber base in the fixed-line and mobile internet segments grew 9% and 10%, respectively, in 2021. Most countries reported an increase in the number of internet users and the overall internet penetration in the countries improved, aided by greater digital literacy among users. The following are the top three countries with the highest penetration in the mobile internet segment:
Bahrain in the Middle East and Uruguay in South America have the highest internet penetration of 94% in the mobile internet segment. Bahrain and Uruguay have a mobile internet subscriber base of 1.7 million and 4.7 million, respectively. The growth of mobile internet in Bahrain was aided by an improvement in the digital infrastructure in the country as companies are enhancing the users’ experience by providing quality services. The major companies in Bahrain include Zain Bahrain and Batelco. Zain Bahrain recently partnered with Ericsson to enhance the roll-out of 5G services in the country. Hong Kong in Asia-Pacific followed with a mobile internet penetration of 93% in 2021. The rapid increase in the number of smartphone users in the region, coupled with the ease of internet access, contributed to the increase in the subscriber base. As of 2021, the mobile subscriber base in Hong Kong stood at 15.2 million. The major companies in Hong Kong include Hong Kong Broadband and HGC Broadband. South Korea and the UK followed with internet penetration of 91% each, as of 2021. The major companies in South Korea internet market include KT Korea and SK Broadband. The dominant companies in the UK include BT Group and Sky Group.
United States of America
United States of America
United States of America
United States of America
United States of America
Germany
China
United States of America
China
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