GSMA Proposes Global Mobile Broadband Network To World Leaders
In a letter to G20 summit, the GSM Association, representing 25 of the major telcos including Nokia, AT&T, Orange and Ericsson – have proposed a way out of recession by creating a global mobile broadband network, in return for relaxed regulation and rights to the broadcast spectrum.
Unlike the banking industry which is looking for government handouts left, right and centre, the GSMA is planning to invest $550 billion over the next five years and urges world leaders to “endorse an ambitious private sector initiative to build new infrastructure for the digital economy, which will have measurable benefits to societies across the world.”
The CEOs estimate that up to 25 million jobs could be created world-wide, financed by private capital. Michael O’Hara, the GSMA chief marketing officer expects to be able to connect 2.4 billion people by mobile by 2013. He estimated that there are currently 200-300 million users accessing the internet by mobile.