Background
Mobile networks have evolved rapidly from analogue voice communication of 1G to high-speed data networks of 4G. Each generation brought significant improvements in speed, capacity, and capabilities. While 2G introduced SMS and basic data, 3G enabled mobile internet and multimedia. 4G revolutionized mobile experience with high-speed data, supporting advanced applications. The impact of mobile network services on our daily lives is immense, enabling everything from remote work to online education and entertainment. The innovation potential is vast as we move towards 5G and beyond. Understanding network types, checking coverage, and adopting best practices are essential to optimize mobile network usage.
The G20 is a premier international forum comprising 19 countries and the European Union, representing the world’s largest economies. Formed in response to financial crises, its primary goal is to stabilize the global economy and address pressing global issues. The G20 promotes financial stability, sustainable growth, and international cooperation through annual summits and working groups. While it has successfully coordinated responses to crises like the 2008 financial meltdown, challenges persist, including economic disparities and geopolitical tensions. Despite criticisms of limited representation and transparency, the G20 remains a crucial platform for shaping global economic policies and addressing critical issues like climate change and global health.
Trends & Insights of Mobile Network Coverage across G20 countries
The analysis of mobile network coverage across G20 countries from 2000 to 2022 reveals significant strides in the evolution of 2G, 3G, and 4G technologies. This comprehensive study underscores the rapid adoption of new technologies and the substantial progress in network coverage, particularly in developing nations. These advancements also reflect technological growth and hint at the future potential for 5G deployment.
Fig: 1
By 2000, most developed G20 countries, including the United Kingdom (UK), United States (US), France, Italy, Japan and Germany, had achieved near-universal 2G coverage, with figures reaching 99%. This early adoption laid the groundwork for future mobile network advancements. Developing G20 nations also witnessed remarkable growth in 2G coverage. India saw an increase from 21.1% in 2000 to 99.21% by 2022. Similarly, China expanded from 50% to 99.9%, and Turkey from 50.2% to 99.75% during the same period. By 2022, all G20 countries boasted over 90% 2G coverage, with many nearing 100%.
Significant 3G rollouts began between 2007 and 2010 in most countries, marking the transition to faster mobile data services. Within 5-7 years, many G20 countries experienced rapid adoption of 3G networks, achieving over 90% coverage. South Korea led the way, reaching 99% coverage by 2007, and Japan with 99.9% by 2012. Conversely, India went from 0% in 2007 to 98.82% by 2022, while Indonesia saw an increase from 60% in 2014 to 96.48% by 2022. By 2022, most G20 nations had achieved over 95% 3G coverage.
The widespread deployment of 4G networks began around 2012-2013, significantly enhancing mobile internet speeds and connectivity. Countries rapidly adopted 4G, with many achieving over 90% coverage within five years. South Korea reached 99% coverage by 2014, and Japan achieved 98.7% by 2013. Slower adopters included India, which progressed from 2% in 2014 to 98.67% by 2022, and Brazil, which went from 10% in 2012 to 92.36% by 2022. By 2022, most G20 countries had attained over 95% 4G coverage.
One of the most notable trends was narrowing the digital divide between developed and developing G20 countries. Nations like India, Indonesia, and Brazil made remarkable progress, closing the gap with more advanced economies. This convergence suggests improved access to digital services and information, fostering greater inclusivity.
The analysis highlighted regional variations in network coverage. East Asian countries, particularly South Korea and Japan, consistently led in early adoption and extensive coverage of new technologies. European countries showed steady and high coverage across all generations. In contrast, North American countries like the US and Canada maintained high coverage but were sometimes slightly behind in 4G adoption compared to East Asian leaders.
South Korea: Consistently at the forefront of mobile technology adoption, South Korea achieved 99% 3G coverage by 2007 and 99.9% across all network types by 2016.
India: India demonstrated dramatic improvements across all network types, with 2G coverage growing from 21.1% in 2000 to 99.21% in 2022, 3G from 0% in 2007 to 98.82% in 2022, and 4G from 2% in 2014 to 98.67% in 2022, showcasing rapid technological leapfrogging.
China: China made significant early progress in 2G coverage, increasing from 50% in 2000 to 99.46% by 2009. Despite a slower initial rollout of 3G and 4G, China rapidly caught up, achieving 99.9% coverage across all network types by 2019.
Australia: An early adopter with consistently high coverage, Australia achieved 98.8% 3G coverage by 2008 and showed rapid 4G adoption, increasing from 52.21% in 2012 to 99.73% by 2022.
Brazil: Brazil showed steady progress across all network types, with notable 4G growth from 10% in 2012 to 92.36% by 2022. A slight decrease in coverage percentages from 2018 to 2020 could be attributed to expansion challenges.
Russian Federation: With limited early data, Russia showed rapid progress from 2015 onwards, achieving 25% 4G coverage in 2012 and 92.6% by 2022, demonstrating significant coverage improvements across all network types in a relatively short period.
Saudi Arabia: Consistent high coverage was maintained across 2G and 3G networks. The country saw rapid 4G adoption, growing from 78% in 2012 to 100% in 2022, achieving 100% coverage across all network types by 2022.
United Kingdom and United States: Both countries maintained consistently high coverage across all network types, being early achievers of near-universal 2G coverage and rapidly adopting 3G and 4G networks to reach over 99% coverage by 2020.
Implications and Conclusions
The data highlights a significant narrowing of the digital divide in mobile network coverage between developed and developing G20 economies. Technological leapfrogging, particularly in countries like India and China, has enabled rapid adoption of newer technologies, often bypassing intermediate stages. This widespread availability of high-speed mobile networks has likely spurred digital economic growth across the G20 nations. The consistent improvement in network coverage across all G20 countries points to the success of policy initiatives and increased investment in telecommunications infrastructure. By 2022, near-universal 4G coverage in most G20 countries has laid a robust foundation for future 5G network deployments. East Asian nations, especially South Korea and Japan, continue to lead in the early adoption and expansion of new mobile network technologies. Overall, the data reflects the rapid evolution of mobile networks, with many countries achieving near-universal coverage within a decade of the introduction of new technologies.
The evolution of mobile network coverage in G20 countries underscores the rapid advancement and significant investments in telecommunications infrastructure. From early 2G adoption to near-universal 4G coverage, these nations have made remarkable strides in ensuring widespread connectivity. This progress narrows the digital divide and sets a robust foundation for the future deployment of 5G networks, promising even more significant advancements in global connectivity and digital economic growth.
References
- Statistics. (n.d.). ITU. https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/pages/stat/default.aspx
- The world’s richest source of ICT statistics and regulatory information – ITU DataHub. (n.d.). https://datahub.itu.int/
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM. (2020, December 10). 3G, 4G, EDGE, 5G: What you need to know about mobile networks. The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/gadgets-news/3g-4g-edge-5g-what-you-need-to-know-about-mobile-networks/articleshow/79655560.cms
- Marwaha, S., & Livemint. (2024, January 30). Why Reliance wants government to shut down 2G, 3G services in India to help enable shift to 4G, 5G | Mint Primer. https://www.livemint.com. https://www.livemint.com/videos/companies/why-reliance-wants-government-to-shut-down-2g-3g-services-in-india-to-help-enable-shift-to-4g-5g-11706622905687.html
About Author:
Pankaj Chowdhury is a former Research Assistant at the International Economic Association. He holds a Master’s degree in Demography & Biostatistics from the International Institute for Population Sciences and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Visva-Bharati University. His primary research interests focus on exploring new dimensions of in computational social science and digital demography.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of 360 Analytika.
Acknowledgement: The author extends his gratitude to the International Telecommunication Union for providing data support.
This article is posted by Sahil Shekh, Editor-in-Chief at 360 Analytika.
