What happened to the “next billion” internet users? They’re already online.
  • 57% of the population is already connected to mobile internet.
  • In Pakistan, Nigeria, and Mexico, the rate of new mobile internet subscriber growth is slowing.
  • The remaining populations will be harder, and more expensive, to get online.
  • roofuskit@lemmy.worldEnglish
    951·
    3 days ago

    If companies want more saturation they can always advocate for government policies that lift people out of poverty.

    • Breve@pawb.socialEnglish
      14·
      3 days ago

      Yeah, and due to the falling replacement rate the world population itself is starting to level off and may even start to decline. That’s why conservative political parties are all doing everything they can to force people into having children, because large corporations can only exist with a large and ever growing customer base.

  • jordanlund@lemmy.worldEnglish
    18·
    3 days ago

    I saw a TMobile ad the other night offering 4 “free” iPhones and I’m like… “WTF do I need 3 extra phones for? Just give me a fair deal on ONE phone.”

    • DuckWrangler9000@lemmy.worldEnglish
      71·
      3 days ago

      T Mobile is fucking insane too. Their prices for unlimited plans are just crazy. Easily $100 a month for a family plan

      • deranger@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        6·
        3 days ago

        Not that I’m sticking up for T-mo, but how is that crazy? I have a grandfathered plan with discounts and it was $100 a month (taxes & fees included) for 2 people years ago, and it was the cheapest of the major carriers.

          • Mac@federation.redEnglish
            2·
            2 days ago

            MVNO is great for single people but the carriers hold their weight in priority data and multiple devices

            • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
              1·
              2 days ago

              To each their own I guess.

              My SO and I have been on MVNOs for years. Neither of us use a ton of data since we’re either at work (either use work wifi on phone or work computer), at home (home wifi), or driving. I use <1GB data (web browsing, random app stuff), and my SO uses <4GB (Instagram/YouTube while exercising outside). I’m on Tello and spend <$10/month, and my SO is on Mint for $15/month (yearly plan w/ 5GB data), and that’s plenty for us, and we almost never hit our data caps.

              We spend $25 total for two lines. I’d have to get 4 lines w/ the major carriers to get anywhere near that price per line, much less total. I have three kids (all too young for phones), and I could get them all basic lines for less than a single line at a major carrier. In fact, I’ve thought about getting an extra line just because, which would cost $6/month if I forego the data plan (or 7/month for 1GB data).

              To me, priority data isn’t worth the cost, especially since it’s something like triple our current cost. Maybe I’ll care when my kids are old enough to have phones, but for now, there’s no way I’m spending that much just to have a little faster data.

              • Mac@federation.redEnglish
                1·
                2 days ago

                I am just a data hog for the most part. I’m always playing something on some service when I’m out of the house.

                Having 5G makes no sense when it only goes as fast as 2008 3G

                • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
                  1·
                  2 days ago

                  Interesting, because I use very little data. The vast majority of my phone use is at home on WiFi, with most of the rest being at work on WiFi.

  • friendlymessage@feddit.orgEnglish
    31·
    2 days ago

    I guess the people in this thread here just hate people from developing countries or they haven’t read the article. Or could someone explain why people here celebrate this:

    Rest of World analysis of that data found that a number of developing countries are plateauing in the number of mobile internet subscribers. That suggests that in countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and Mexico, the easiest populations to get online have already logged on, and getting the rest of the population on mobile internet will continue to be a challenge.

    And

    The cost of data in Africa, for example, is more than twice that of the Americas, the second most expensive region.