Connectivity has become an essential part of society, serving as a conduit for information, interaction, self-expression and personal connections across the world. It has evolved from a luxury to a necessity, emerging as the bedrock upon which digital transformation is built.
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, access to reliable and high-speed internet has become an essential requirement for individuals, businesses, and entire societies. Connectivity serves as the driving force behind the expansion of the digital realm, pushing its boundaries and redefining the possibilities that lie within it. With the ability to connect devices, systems, and individuals in real time, the internet has unlocked a world of unprecedented opportunities and services that have enabled the digital landscape to flourish. Crucially, as the digital world expands, so does the need for digital trust. As Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of UAE Cyber Security Council mentioned in the opening ceremony of the summit, “We need to follow those standards, those governing policies, those procedures, and even a simple hygiene that we can take in our daily life, in order to protect us, to protect our loved ones, to protect our critical transactions as well as efficiencies of such quality of service that we see.”
Unfortunately, today, not everyone is equal when it comes to access to reliable connectivity. In various parts of the world, the lack of connectivity and limited internet access pose significant challenges and hinder social and economic progress.
“In some markets, there is a significant presence of high fibre Internet penetration, along with early adopters of 5G technology and extensive handset usage. Conversely, other markets still face limitations in Internet access, these markets often rely on 2G or 3G cellular networks and have yet to adopt 4G technology,” explains Jawad Abbassi, Head of MENA, GSMA.
Despite this, a recent study by GSMA noted that lack of coverage is no longer the main challenge to digital inclusion. The report revealed that mobile broadband connectivity now reaches 95 percent of the global population, connecting approximately 55 percent of the world’s population to the mobile internet.
“The issue of infrastructure has largely been addressed globally, as reliable cellular or mobile internet networks cover the majority of the global population,” says Abbassi.
“However, 3.2 billion residing within the coverage area but not utilising the services. Therefore, the challenge lies not in infrastructure, but rather in factors such as affordability of services and handsets, digital skills, and cultural barriers. This is called the ‘usage gap’, which is a by-product of these combined factors and represents a significant problem worldwide.”
The usage gap refers to the disparity between those who have access to the internet but do not utilise it. This gap hampers individuals from reaching their full economic and social potential, limiting their opportunities.
“Addressing the usage gap is crucial as it holds immense economic and social benefits for everyone involved,” says Abbassi.
“For instance, individuals with access to banking services tend to fare better economically compared to those without. Similarly, small merchants who embrace mobile money platforms can enhance their business prospects compared to those relying solely on cash transactions. Bridging the usage gap would unlock these advantages, benefiting society as a whole.”
According to Abbassi, addressing the usage gap and driving wider adoption of internet services require a collaborative effort between telecom players and governments. By implementing a range of measures, progress can be made.
“First and foremost, education and skilling programs need to be put in place to empower users with the digital skills necessary to make the most of internet services,” he explains.
“Another solution is ensuring the affordability of services. This can be achieved through fair spectrum pricing, which reduces costs for operators and, in turn, lowers service costs for end users.”
Furthermore, Abbassi highlights that the digitisation of government services serves as a strong driver for increased internet usage. “When government services are made available online, there is a strong incentive for people to engage with digital platforms,” he explains.
Closing the usage gap plays a pivotal role in enabling digital trust. When more individuals have access to and actively engage with digital technologies, it promotes a sense of inclusivity and participation in the digital ecosystem. This increased participation fosters familiarity and understanding of digital platforms and services, leading to greater confidence and trust in their use.
As we strive to address the usage gap, it is also pertinent to consider cybersecurity. After all, digital trust is the ultimate goal of cybersecurity.
“Ensuring cybersecurity plays a vital role in fostering digital trust,” says Abbassi. “Individuals who are new to the internet may lack the necessary security skills and awareness. For instance, they may unknowingly click on unknown links or fall for phishing emails. Therefore, as we bridge the usage gap, prioritising security becomes crucial.”
Abbassi emphasises that governments, organisations, and individuals all have a crucial role to play in upholding these standards.
“Governments hold the responsibility of establishing comprehensive legal frameworks and regulations that govern cybersecurity. Data laws and regulations ensure transparency, accountability, and protection of people’s privacy rights. By enforcing these standards, governments create an environment that fosters trust and confidence in the digital landscape,” says Abbassi.
He adds, “From GSMA’s perspective, collaboration and adherence to standards are key considerations. We also have set frameworks in place, such as the GSMA Network Equipment Security Assurance Scheme (NESAS), which aims to enhance the security standards of network equipment in the mobile industry. It aims to instill greater confidence and trust in mobile network equipment by facilitating improvements in product security levels.
In network operational level, GSMA developed 5G Knowledge Base, an industry effort that composes a comprehensive threat landscape designed to help key stakeholders (such as MNOs, equipment vendors, regulators, application developers and service providers) understand the security threats posed by 5G networks in a systematic and objective fashion. At an operational level, the Knowledge Base offers clear instructions for taking step-by-step actions to build security assurance while considering the entire risk spectrum of 5G end-to-end networks.”
Moreover, fostering a secure digital ecosystem requires collective efforts beyond the realm of governments and organisations, according to Abbassi. He notes that individuals, too, hold a vital responsibility in ensuring cybersecurity. “User education and awareness are essential in mitigating security risks. Educating people about the potential pitfalls of online usage, such as phishing attacks or social engineering, empowers them to make informed decisions and adopt secure online behaviours,” he says.
Looking ahead, Abbassi points to the convergence of 5G networks, the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data as the key trends that will further drive the digital landscape and have a significant impact on digital trust.
“All these trends coming together will give rise to the ‘Intelligent Connectivity era,’ where everyone can have access to lightning-fast speeds with minimal latency, and 5G networks provide highly reliable connectivity. Operators can effectively segment the network, further enhancing its capabilities. This fusion of technologies, coupled with lightning-fast speeds and minimal latency, and highly reliable 5G connectivity will unlock a wide array of innovative services. Drones, autonomous vehicles, and advanced transport systems will play a significant role in this transformative era, ushering in a new wave of possibilities and opportunities.”
As we navigate the vast landscape of the connected, intelligent world, it is clear that cybersecurity and trust are the cornerstones upon which our digital future relies. By prioritising cybersecurity measures, fostering digital trust, and embracing the transformative power of connectivity, we can unlock a future where innovation and inclusivity flourish.
