Mobile connectivity has become a cornerstone of digital transformation in Latin America. According to the latest GSMA Mobile Economy Report, in 2024, the mobile sector contributed US$550 billion in economic value to the region, equivalent to 8.2% of Latin America’s GDP. Most of this came from productivity gains (US$440 billion), while direct contributions totaled US$90 billion.
Mobile Penetration and Subscriber Growth
By the end of 2024, Latin America counted 456 million unique mobile subscribers, representing a 70% penetration rate. By 2030, this figure is expected to reach 531 million, accounting for 79% of the population. This steady growth underscores the crucial role of mobile connectivity in fostering inclusion and economic development throughout the region.
The Race Toward 5G
5G is expanding quickly, though unevenly, across countries. At the end of 2024, only 9% of mobile connections were 5G. By 2027, that share is projected to rise to 25%, and by 2030, to 53%. Meanwhile, 4G will decline after peaking in 2025 at nearly 70% of connections; its share is expected to fall to 39% by 2030.
Mobile Internet Adoption and Challenges
In 2024, 64% of the population in Latin America used mobile internet services. By 2030, this is forecast to increase to 74%. Yet GSMA analysts caution that growth is slowing and stress the urgency of policy reforms to accelerate adoption. The main barriers remain device affordability, digital literacy, and digital skills gaps.
Technology Trends Shaping the Region
The GSMA report points to three forces reshaping the mobile ecosystem:
• 5G networks are increasingly advanced and more widely deployed to deliver improved services.
• Artificial Intelligence, which operators initially used to optimize their own networks, is now being leveraged to deliver enterprise solutions, including chatbots, virtual assistants, automated issue resolution, and advanced data analytics.
• New partnerships and consumer solutions, including the integration of network APIs into apps and services to create seamless and personalized user experiences.
APIs and the Open Gateway Initiative
One of the most relevant developments is GSMA’s Open Gateway initiative, designed to “unlock the full potential of mobile networks globally by exposing network capabilities through common APIs.”
In Latin America, major operators—including América Móvil, Entel Chile, Nuevatel, Telecom Argentina, Telefónica, and TIM—have embraced Open Gateway, covering over 90% of the region’s mobile connections. To date, APIs have been deployed primarily to combat fraud and enhance security, but 2025 will bring broader commercial launches that expand into new services.
Plusmo: Driving Innovation in the Mobile Ecosystem
As an aggregator and integrator of mobile solutions, Plusmo plays a pivotal role in accelerating the ecosystem's evolution. Our portfolio spans four key areas: identity protection, IoT services, audience engagement through omnichannel communications, and mobile payments.
