"Mobile technologies underpin digital transformation in the Pacific Islands as authorities take steps to help economies recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and manage threats from climate change and natural disasters. Mobile is the first (in most cases only) form of internet connectivity for many consumers and businesses across the region. In the past few years, mobile subscriber penetration and smartphone adoption have increased but remain considerably lower than the global average. Improving access to connectivity and closing the mobile internet usage gap are essential for socioeconomic development and to ensure that no one is left behind.
Digital connectivity – with 5G at the core – is set to shape the way people live and businesses operate, accelerating socioeconomic advancement across areas such as healthcare, education, digital commerce, transport and tourism. 5G is still in its early stages in the Pacific Islands; only Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands had launched commercial 5G services as of March 2023. However, operators have already taken steps to prepare for the 5G era, including making their networks 5G-ready. By 2030, the number of 5G connections in the Pacific Islands will reach 1.5 million, equivalent to 17% of total mobile connections. In the meantime, there is an opportunity to migrate more customers from legacy (2G and 3G) networks to 4G, growing adoption beyond 50% in the coming years." (Executive summary)