BARCELONA: The number of mobile phone users globally will surpass five billion by the middle of this year, according to a study released on Monday by GSMA, the association of mobile operators.

With populations in Asia, and notably India, on the rise, the number, which stood at 4.8 billion a year ago, should mushroom to 5.7 billion, or three quarters of the world’s population, by 2020.

Asia will account for around half total growth, according to GSMA’s ‘Mobile Economy’ report with India alone adding some 310 million new subscribers in the coming three years.

The study also showed a trend towards towards mobile broadband networks and smartphones, said the study, which highlighted the mobile industry’s growing contribution to economic activity and social development.

“Mobile is a global platform that today supports two-thirds of the world’s population, delivering the connectivity and infrastructure that is powering new digital economies and addressing socio-economic challenges,” said Mats Granryd, GSMA director general.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2017