The cost of mobile handsets, services and data plans is now the primary cause of digital exclusion, rather than access to cellular networks. This finding has been reached by the GSMA in its latest State of Mobile Internet Connectivity report 2024. The GSMA has urged governments, charities and other relevant funding bodies to act on these findings and shift emphasis in tackling digital divides from access to affordability. Such investments would be handsomely repaid, the GSMA contended, since closing the usage gap would add $3.5 trillion in total additional GDP during 2023–2030. More than 90% of this benefit, or $3.2 trillion, would accrue to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Such countries account for the vast majority of those lacking mobile…