The

Mobile Economy
Latin
America
2020
Copyright © 2020 GSM Association
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Contents
Executive summary 2

1 The mobile market in numbers 10

1.1 The evolution of the mobile market in Latin America 11
1.2 5G debuts in Latin America, though 4G will continue to dominate 13
1.3 Evolution of the digital consumer 14
1.4 A modest revenue outlook amid uncertainty around Covid-19 16

2 Key trends shaping the digital landscape 18

2.1 5G: the private networks opportunity 19
2.2 IoT: a local focus 21
2.3 The telco of the future: the rise of fintech 24

3 Mobile contributing to economic growth 26

and social progress
3.1 Mobile’s contribution to economic growth 27
3.2 Mobile bringing people online 29
3.3 The mobile industry’s response to Covid-19 31

4 Future-proofing policy and regulation 34

4.1 Policy recommendations for the digital transformation of Latin America 36
4.2 Setting the stage for 5G 39
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

Executive
Summary

Covid-19 underlines the importance of connectivity

The Covid-19 pandemic has cast a spotlight pandemic, despite unprecedented growth in
on the importance of digital technologies, data traffic. On average, operators reported
and connectivity in particular, for social a 25% increase in mobile data traffic during
and economic wellbeing. With confinement lockdown. By the end of 2020, nearly 360
measures put in place to curb the spread million people in the region, representing 57%
of the pandemic, many everyday activities of the population, will be connected to the
(including work, learning, shopping and mobile internet. However, with nearly 300
socialising) moved online, allowing separated million people in the region still unable to
friends and family to stay informed and connect to the mobile internet, the pandemic
connected, and economic activity to continue. serves as a reminder of the need to accelerate
Digital connectivity has also provided a efforts to close the digital divide and ensure
platform for innovation, facilitating new no one is left behind. Around 93% of the
ways to deliver essential services remotely, population is now covered by a mobile
including education and healthcare. broadband network, while an additional 80
million people will start using the mobile
The mobile industry in Latin America has
internet by 2025.
risen to the challenge of sustaining social and
economic activity in the region during the

2
Executive Summary
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

Nearly 440 million mobile subscribers and rapidly rising

smartphone adoption
The number of unique mobile subscribers Smartphone adoption continues to rise
in Latin America will reach around 440 million rapidly, reaching 72% of total connections
by the end of 2020, representing nearly in 2020, as cheaper devices have become
70% of the population. The mobile market available. Several operators have brought
in the region will reach several important affordable smartphones to market, some
milestones over the next five years: with financing options, to stimulate mobile
15 million mobile 5G connections in 2022, half broadband adoption. The next five years will
a billion smartphone connections by 2023, see around 100 million additional smartphone
and more than 400 million mobile internet connections in Latin America, taking the
subscribers by 2025. These achievements total to 532 million by the end of 2025 – an
will be underpinned by operators’ continued adoption rate of 80%.
investment in network infrastructure. Despite
the economic uncertainty brought about by
the pandemic, operators in the region will
invest $99 billion in infrastructure rollouts
between 2019 and 2025.

The mobile industry driving social impact and contributing to

economic growth
Mobile technologies and services generated As well as providing much-needed
7% of GDP in Latin America in 2019 – a connectivity during the pandemic, the mobile
contribution that amounted to more than industry in Latin America has engaged with
$421 billion of economic value added. The businesses and governments on initiatives to
mobile ecosystem also supported around alleviate the impact of Covid-19 on citizens.
1.4 million jobs (directly and indirectly) From discounts on data tariffs for educational
and made a substantial contribution to the and health sites to cash and equipment
funding of the public sector, with $33 billion donations to hospitals and humanitarian
raised through taxation. The mobile industry’s causes, mobile operators and other industry
contribution will rise over the coming years players have supported the most vulnerable
as countries increasingly benefit from the in society while also contributing to economic
improvements in productivity and efficiency recovery efforts.
brought about by the increased take-up of
mobile services.

3
Executive Summary
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

5G momentum builds in Latin America

The 5G era has begun in Latin America 5G will build on the growing trend towards
with the launch of 5G services in Brazil and networks for industries, as evidenced by
Uruguay during 2020. Auctions for spectrum recent announcements from firms in the
in the 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz bands in Brazil mining, utilities and manufacturing sectors.
are expected in H1 2021, while regulators in However, 5G is likely to be a long-term play
Chile, Colombia and Dominican Republic have for the consumer segment. With 4G adoption
also announced their intentions to assign in Latin America forecast to reach 55% at
5G spectrum in 2021. The pandemic could the end of 2020 (compared to nearly 90%
increase the need for policy and regulatory in North America), there remains significant
reform to unlock the potential of 5G in Latin room for 4G growth across the region.
America. Key 5G capabilities, including Nevertheless, growing demand for enhanced
higher speeds and ultra-low latency, have the connectivity in the wake of the pandemic
potential to enable innovative solutions for bodes well for 5G uptake in Latin America. By
enterprises seeking new ways to operate and 2025, 5G will account for almost a tenth of
boost productivity. total connections in the region.

4
Executive Summary
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

Future-proofing policy and regulation

To address the challenges in extending • Foster dialogue between Congress,
connectivity to unconnected populations, regulatory authorities and sectoral
there is a need for continued collaboration policymakers, and the private sector.
between policymakers, regulatory agencies
• Build fiscal policy that is consistent with
and mobile operators to build sustainable
the boost in investment and GDP that
network infrastructure.
digitisation can generate.
Key recommendations to accelerate the
• Plan long-term spectrum policies, focusing
expansion of the digital economy in Latin
on digital inclusion, innovation and
America include:
investment.
• Evolve to smarter regulation that
encourages investment, removes barriers
and creates new growth opportunities.

5
Executive Summary
 Mobile Economy
Latin America
UNIQUE MOBILE SUBSCRIBERS 2019 2025

428m 484m
Penetration Rate
2019-2025
CAGR: 2.1% 68% (% of population) 73%

MOBILE INTERNET USERS 2019 2025

343m 423m
Penetration Rate
2019-2025
55% (% of population) 64%
CAGR: 3.6%

SIM CONNECTIONS 2019 2025

638m 666m
Excluding licensed cellular IoT

Penetration Rate
2019-2025 102% (% of population) 101%
CAGR: 0.7%
SMARTPHONES 2019 2025

69% 80%
% of total
connections
Excluding licensed
cellular IoT

62m
4G 2019 2025 5G 2025

49% 67% connections

of total connections
9% of total connections
Excluding licensed cellular IoT
Excluding licensed cellular IoT

OPERATOR REVENUES
AND INVESTMENT 2019 2025

Operator revenues Operator revenues

$58.8bn $62.7bn
Operator capex of $99 billion for the period 2019–2025

PUBLIC FUNDING 2019

$33bn
Mobile ecosystem contribution to public funding
(before regulatory and spectrum fees)

MOBILE INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTION TO GDP EMPLOYMENT 2019

2019
$421bn 620,000
jobs directly supported
by the mobile ecosystem
7% of GDP +810,000 indirect jobs
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

Subscriber and technology trends for key markets

Argentina TECHNOLOGY MIX* SUBSCRIBER PENETRATION

7% 7% 2025 2019 2025

70% 79%
5G 12% 2G
21%

2019 SMARTPHONE ADOPTION

56%
23% 2019 2025
75%
65% 77%
4G 3G

Brazil TECHNOLOGY MIX* SUBSCRIBER PENETRATION

1% 2025 2019 2025

18%
5G
10%
2G
70% 75%
15%
SMARTPHONE ADOPTION
2019
2019 2025

76% 85% 89%

4G 81% 3G

Chile TECHNOLOGY MIX* SUBSCRIBER PENETRATION

8% 2% 2025 2019 2025

8%

82% 84%
5G 2G
15%

2019 22%
SMARTPHONE ADOPTION

2019 2025
62%
83%
67% 81%
4G 3G

Colombia TECHNOLOGY MIX* SUBSCRIBER PENETRATION

6% 5%
2025 2019 2025
5G
22%
18%
2G
71% 75%
41%
2019 SMARTPHONE ADOPTION

2019 2025

71%
37%
59% 82%
4G 3G

8
Executive Summary
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

Costa Rica TECHNOLOGY MIX* SUBSCRIBER PENETRATION

1% 5% 2025 2019 2025

78% 81%
5G 2G
18%
25%

45%
2019 SMARTPHONE ADOPTION

49% 2019 2025

57% 63% 75%

4G 3G

Mexico TECHNOLOGY MIX* SUBSCRIBER PENETRATION

12% 2% 2025 2019 2025

63% 70%
5G 2G
13%
31%
31%

2019 SMARTPHONE ADOPTION

2019 2025

55%
56%
65% 74%
4G 3G

Peru TECHNOLOGY MIX* SUBSCRIBER PENETRATION

6% 8% 2025 2019 2025

5G
22% 13%
2G
73% 76%
37%
SMARTPHONE ADOPTION
2019
2019 2025

73%
41%
57% 70%
4G 3G

* Percentage of total connections

9
Executive Summary
01

The mobile
market in
numbers
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

1.1
The evolution of the mobile market in Latin America
Source: GSMA Intelligence
Figure 1

Key milestones over the next five years

2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

Almost three
SUBSCRIBERS

quarters of
MOBILE

450 million mobile

the population
subscribers
subscribe to
mobile services

400 million
mobile internet
MOBILE INTERNET
SUBSCRIBERS

subscribers
Over 420 million
60% of the mobile internet
population to subscribers
subscribe to
mobile internet
services
CONNECTIONS

625 million mobile 650 million mobile

connections connections

200 million 3G 150 million 3G

3G

connections connections

4G accounts
400 million 4G
for 60% of
4G

connections
connections

Mobile 5G debuts 15 million mobile 50 million mobile

5G

in Latin America 5G connections 5G connections

BROADBAND

Mobile broadband Mobile broadband

600 million
MOBILE

(MBB)

accounts for accounts for

mobile broadband
over 90% of total over 95% of total
connections
connections connections
SMARTPHONES

500 million
80% smartphone
smartphone
adoption
connections

11
The mobile
market in numbers
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

Source: GSMA Intelligence

Figure 2

Almost half a billion unique mobile subscribers in Latin America by 2025

600 73%
68%
500

400

300

484
200 428

100

0
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

Mobile subscribers Subscriber

(million) penetration (%)

Source: GSMA Intelligence

Figure 3

Latin America will have almost 60 million new subscribers by 2025, half of which will come
from Brazil and Mexico
Mobile subscribers (million)
16

3
3
6
13

16
484

428

2019 Brazil Mexico Argentina Colombia Peru Rest of 2025

Latin
America

12
The mobile
market in numbers
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

1.2
5G debuts in Latin America, though 4G will continue to dominate
Source: GSMA Intelligence
Figure 4

4G will surpass 50% of total connections in the region in 2020; 5G will reach almost 10%
in 2025
Percentage of connections (excluding licensed cellular IoT)

70% 67%

60%

49%
50%
5G

40%
4G
33%
3G

30% 2G

20%
20%
18%

9%
10%
4%
0%
0%
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

13
The mobile
market in numbers
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

1.3
Evolution of the digital consumer
Source: GSMA Intelligence
Figure 5

Over 80 million people across the region will start using mobile internet by 2025; three
quarters will come from five countries
Mobile internet users (million)
18 80

7 4
8
19
24

Brazil Mexico Colombia Argentina Peru Rest of Latin Total mobile

America internet
subscribers
by 2025

Source: Ericsson Mobility Report, 2020

Figure 6

Rising take-up of smartphones and the mobile internet will lead to a fivefold increase in
mobile data consumption by 2025
GB per subscriber per month

4.7
2019
5.1x 23.9
2025

14
The mobile
market in numbers
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

Source: GSMA Intelligence

Figure 7

By 2025, smartphone adoption will rise above 80% in six markets in the region
Smartphones as a percentage of connections (excluding licensed cellular IoT)

Smartphone connections: top three markets

in Latin America (2025)

Brazil Mexico Colombia

175 million 92 million 54 million

85% 89% 82% 82% 81% 81%

80% 80%
69% 69% 67% 70%
59% 62%

Latin America Brazil Uruguay Colombia Chile Ecuador Panama

average

2019 2025

Strong digital engagement a key driver of the growth in data traffic

Latin America is a global leader in user engagement in mobile services, especially media and
entertainment content. Insights from the GSMA Intelligence Consumers in Focus Survey show
that 58% and 67% of smartphone users in Brazil and Mexico, respectively, watch free online video
content on a mobile phone at least once per day, compared to just 39% in the US. This trend has
been boosted by the lockdown measures resulting from the pandemic. Some operators in the
region, including Telefónica and Claro, have offered access to additional free or discounted streaming
content during lockdown.

15
The mobile
market in numbers
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

1.4
A modest revenue outlook amid uncertainty around Covid-19
Covid-19 had a significant impact on the financial in economic activity led to job losses, particularly
performance of the mobile industry in 2020. Mobile in the informal sector. Markets with a high proportion
revenues declined in several markets in Latin of prepaid customers have been particularly
America, reflecting the discounts operators offered vulnerable to reduced spend. While revenue growth
on mobile services to support consumers during the for the region as a whole is expected to remain
pandemic. Other factors at play included greater use in positive territory, it is forecast to be in the low
of fixed broadband connectivity during lockdown, a single digits for the foreseeable future as economies
decrease in device sales partly due to store closures, continue to grapple with the economic fallout of
and a reduction in consumer spend as the slowdown the pandemic.

Source: GSMA Intelligence

Figure 8

Covid-19 upends operator momentum

5.5%
62.7
62.1
61.5
60.9

60.1

59.2
58.8 1.6%
1.3%
1.0% 0.9% 1.0%

0.6%

2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

Revenue Annual
($ billion) growth

16
The mobile
market in numbers
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

Source: GSMA Intelligence

Figure 9

5G network spend ramps up in 2020 and will account for the majority of capex by 2022
Capex ($ billion)

2019–2025
$13.8 $13.6 $13.4 $13.7 $14.4 $14.9 $14.7 Total capex:

$99bn
18% 16%
28%
39%
51%

74%

97%
5G capex:
84%
72%
82%
$54bn
61%
49%

26%

3%
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

5G capex Non-5G capex

17
The mobile
market in numbers
02

Key trends
shaping
the digital
landscape
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

The digital landscape in Latin America is evolving rapidly. Across the

region, enterprises are increasingly using digital technologies to improve
operational processes; for consumers, digital platforms are providing new
ways to work, learn, shop and interact with society. Here, we highlight three
trends shaping the region’s digital landscape.

2.1
5G: the private networks opportunity
5G continues to gain momentum around the world, In Latin America, Brazil and Uruguay have launched
though the pace of progress has been affected 5G services. In Brazil, auctions in the 3.5 GHz and
by Covid-19 in some markets. For example, some the 26 GHz spectrum bands are expected in H1
operators in Sweden and South Africa launched 2021, and regulator Anatel plans to award spectrum
5G early to ensure sufficient capacity was available in the 700 MHz (unsold from 2015) and 2.3 GHz
during the crisis, while the spectrum auction in bands. Regulators in Chile, Colombia and Dominican
India was delayed until at least 2021. Other markets, Republic have also announced their intention to
including Greece and Portugal, have reported assign 5G spectrum in 2021.
interruptions to 5G rollouts. A total of 45 operators
launched commercial 5G services during the first
nine months of 2020, taking the total number of 5G
operators to 107 in 47 markets globally.

Source: GSMA Intelligence

Figure 10

5G global outlook

5G adoption, 2025 5G connections, 2025

North America 51% 218m

Europe 34% 233m

Asia Pacific 25% 1.2bn

World 21% 1.8bn

CIS 13% 52m

Latin America 9% 62m

MENA 8% 58m

Sub-Saharan Africa 3% 30m

19
Key trends shaping
the digital landscape
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

Covid-19 could increase the need for policy and Aside from manufacturing, there is a growing trend
regulatory reform to unlock the potential of 5G in towards the deployment of private networks by
the region. Key 5G capabilities, including higher enterprises in sectors such as mining and utilities.
speeds and ultra-low latency, can enable innovative In July 2020, Nokia and Telefónica Brazil agreed a
solutions for enterprises seeking ways to boost deal with mining firm Vale to provide a private LTE
productivity post pandemic. In manufacturing, for network to the Carajás Mine – the world’s largest
example, Covid-19 has highlighted several major iron ore mine, in northern Brazil. Meanwhile, in Chile,
challenges, such as labour shortages amid travel the Department of Telecommunications has carried
and social restrictions, and the need for greater out a 5G consultation to assess interest in potential
operational visibility, including in the supply chain. networks for enterprises, targeting the mining, port,
5G and private networks offer one of many routes to agricultural, industrial and transport sectors.
connect manufacturing operations and processes.

Source: GSMA Intelligence

Figure 11

Private networks and cloud solutions are a top priority for operators in Latin America

Qn: For which type of service, if any, do you expect to see the strongest growth in
demand from your enterprise customers due to the Covid-19 pandemic?
Percentage of respondents

100% Prefer not to answer

Do not expect growth
80% IoT solutions & services
SD-WAN services
60% Edge networking
5G connectivity to businesses
40% Cloud infrastructure & solutions
Private networks (4G/5G)

20% Note: Survey conducted in March/April 2020

0%
Asia Europe North MENA Latin
Pacific America America

As 5G rollouts accelerate, many enterprises will of opportunity to seek out industrial vendors and
prefer a more customised network option. Recent systems integrators to capture early movers in
announcements suggest mobile operators are Industry 4.0. However, the rollout of 5G and the
looking to address the needs of enterprises, potential to serve enterprises and consumers with
including SMEs, by increasingly offering simple, out- enhanced connectivity solutions will depend on the
of-the-box solutions. Meanwhile, 5G hardware based timely allocation of 5G spectrum in a manner that
on Release 16 will be commercially ready by 2022, encourages investment and innovation. Sharing and
enabling operators to go to market with a richer trading of spectrum are vital to make this a reality.
set of offerings. This grants operators a window

20
Key trends shaping
the digital landscape
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

2.2
IoT: a local focus
The GSMA Intelligence Enterprise in Focus Survey enterprise unit of Telefónica Brazil, has partnered
2019 shows that the majority of enterprises (52%) with bioenergy producer UISA to deploy a private
around the world view IoT as transformational 4G network and IoT solution at a 90,000 hectare
to their company and wider industry.1 The farm in Brazil to improve operations, cut costs and
pandemic has seen the importance of IoT grow, provide real-time data. Cities across Latin America,
as governments and enterprises adopt digital such as Buenos Aires, Santiago, Medellin and Sao
technologies, including IoT solutions, to revive Paulo, are also implementing smart city initiatives
economic output and boost operational resilience using IoT technology.
and efficiency. Globally, total IoT connections will
Mobile operators play an increasingly prominent
nearly double to 24 billion connections by 2025,
role in the rapidly expanding IoT ecosystem in the
driven by faster adoption of enterprise solutions
region, supported by enabling regulations. In Brazil,
targeting digital transformation.
Anatel has approved the reduction of regulatory
The IoT market in Latin America will follow a similar barriers preventing development of IoT applications,
trajectory, to reach 1.2 billion connections by 2025. through a lower tax burden on services provided via
IoT applications in the region vary considerably IoT devices. As of August 2020, six mobile operators
across the consumer and enterprise sectors. – in four markets – Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and
from heavy industrial applications in mining and Mexico – had launched licensed LPWA (NB-IoT
manufacturing to health applications for consumers. and LTE-M) services. Telefónica has developed
In Argentina, Telecom Argentina has partnered a connectivity management platform in Brazil,
with Nokia to provide IoT services to corporate offering companies autonomy and efficiency in the
customers. In Mexico, AT&T provides connected car management of connected devices. Meanwhile,
solutions in partnership with players in the auto and Telecom Argentina has announced a partnership
telematics industry. In Brazil, Vivo Empresas, the with Nokia to offer corporate IoT services.

1. IoT in business 2020: The enterprise voice on IoT adoption, GSMA Intelligence, 2020

21
Key trends shaping
the digital landscape
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

Source: GSMA Intelligence

Figure 12

Total IoT connections in Latin America will double by 2025, driven by growth in the
enterprise segment, particularly for smart manufacturing and smart building solutions

2019 2025

Total 642m 1.9x 1.2bn

Enterprise IoT
(including smart city, smart
154m CAGR
18%
425m
24% of total 36% of total
utilities, smart retail, smart
manufacturing, smart
buildings and smart health)

Consumer IoT
487m CAGR
8%
768m
(including consumer 76% of total 64% of total
electronics, smart home,
wearables and smart
vehicles)

A key factor that will define the IoT landscape the government of Colombia) and the Ministry of
in Latin America is investment and innovation Commerce, Industry and Tourism. It will develop
in solutions and devices that address local use LPWA-based IoT solutions, in areas such as smart
cases, as demonstrated by a rapidly expanding IoT metering, livestock tracking and consumer IoT
startup ecosystem. In Colombia, Wayra (Telefónica services. Meanwhile, in Brazil, Qualcomm Ventures
Movistar’s open innovation hub) has launched an IoT and the National Bank for Economic and Social
lab for entrepreneurs in partnership with iNNpulsa Development (BNDES) have launched a $30 million
(the entrepreneurship and innovation agency of fund to support IoT startups.

22
Key trends shaping
the digital landscape
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

Examples of IoT startups across Latin America include the following:

Tecrea Neltume Citysense

Multiple IoT solutions, IoT solutions to help IoT solutions for air quality
including real-time alerts farmers manage pesticides and crime tracking, as well
and GPS monitoring of and moth infestations as helping firms understand
livestock potential markets through
crowd counting

Sensorbox Jooycar Babybe

Reducing business losses Telematics solution tracking Connects mothers with
from blackouts through driving patterns, and premature babies through
a solution that predicts, offering route optimisation a connected mattress
monitors and reports and maintenance reporting that mimics the mother’s
problems with power for connected cars breathing and heartbeat
sources

Lok Firecity ChoppUp

Last-mile logistics solutions Interconnects fire alarm IoT solution for restaurants
based on a network of systems in real time, and bars to reduce
smart lockers notifying property owners beer waste by remotely
and the fire department in monitoring data from
emergencies dispensers

Telefónica enables IoT smart city solutions in Argentina2

The city of San Nicolas de los Arroyos, in the Buenos Aires province of Argentina, has deployed
IoT solutions from Telefónica to enhance quality of life for its 130,000 inhabitants. Seeking to
transform itself into a smart city, the municipality is using mobile connectivity to help manage its
workforce and vehicle fleet: mobile-connected GPS trackers for employees and vehicles enable the
city’s administration to optimise the deployment of resources. The municipality now knows in real
time where all its connected vehicles are, enabling it to coordinate movements, save on fuel and
maintenance costs, and reduce the likelihood of traffic accidents.
The solution has also made the city’s waste management system more efficient. Using the GPS
trackers installed in vehicles, the municipality is now able to publicise the real-time routes of refuse
trucks, prompting residents to take out their waste at the right time, making the city cleaner and
neater. As more elements of the urban environment become connected, the municipality has access
to a growing volume of data on how the city works. Telefónica’s end-to-end solution also enables
the city to integrate, manage and analyse this information, helping the administration to make well-
informed decisions.

23
2. Improving Urban Life in Argentina, GSMA, 2020
Key trends shaping
the digital landscape
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

2.3
The telco of the future: the rise of fintech
Digital disruption is changing the provision of account at a formal financial institution – much
services in the financial sector across Latin America, lower than the average for Emerging Asia (78%)
with the emergence of a vibrant fintech market. and the Advanced Economies group (96%).
Research by consulting firm KoreFusion estimates
• Enabling regulations that level the playing field
there are just over 1,000 fintech firms in the region
between traditional financial institutions and new
across 12 main categories, including payments,
fintech players. In September 2020, the Colombian
lending, crowdfunding, remittances and digital
Ministry of Finance and Public Credit established
banks.3 Factors driving the growth of fintechs in
a regulatory sandbox to support the growth of
Latin America include the following:
fintech firms. Brazil, Chile and Mexico are among
• Rapid adoption of smartphones, allowing more other countries that have recently introduced
people to access digital financial services. regulatory initiatives for fintech.
Smartphone adoption in Latin America is set to
• Sustained investment in fintech start-ups. In 2019,
reach 72% in 2020, from 46% five years earlier.
total funding for fintech startups tripled to £2.1
• Lack of access to traditional banking services billion. In the first half of 2020, Latin American
for large swathes of the population, creating a fintech firms raised a total of $525 million across
sizeable opportunity for new entrants. According 74 deals, with lending, payments and SME finance
to the 2017 Global Findex, only 51% of households attracting the most interest from investors.4
in Latin America and the Caribbean have an
Source: CB Insights
Figure 13

Rising investment in fintech solutions in Latin America

139
125
2,118
114

61

41
34
25 700

267 297
44 124 117
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Total funding Number of

($ million) deals

24
Key trends shaping 3. LATAM Fintech Landscape, Redefined, KoreFusion, 2020
4. Fintech in Latin America, LatamFintech Hub, 2020
the digital landscape
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

Covid-19 is accelerating demand for fintech solutions, connectivity that underpins the distribution and
as people transfer more of their spend to online use of many fintech solutions. However, operators
services, and governments take steps to reduce also have an opportunity to leverage key network
reliance on cash to curb the spread of the disease. and distribution assets to capture more value in the
Argentine fintech Ualá reports that transfers into its fintech space. These include a large customer base
accounts doubled when the pandemic hit the region and know-your-customer (KYC) attributes, extensive
in March 2020. marketing and distribution channels, as well as APIs,
carrier billing and other technical capabilities. There
Mobile operators are waking up to the fintech
are also opportunities to invest directly in existing
opportunity. Operators have been instrumental
fintech companies or obtain a licence to establish a
in the growth of fintech services by providing the
new one, as has occurred in Africa, Asia and Europe.

Brazilian operators explore growth opportunities in fintech

Brazilian operators have been at the centre of recent ventures in the fintech space. With increasing
competition in traditional voice and messaging services, particularly from online players, the
provision of financial services has become key to the revenue diversification strategies of operators.
Recent examples include the following:
• October 2020 – Telefónica Brazil launched a personal credit service, Vivo Money, allowing contract
customers to access personal loans of up to BRL30,000 ($5,400). This follows a pilot in 2019 in
partnership with Banco Digio and lending fintech Ibi Digital.
• September 2020 – TIM Brazil and digital bank C6 launched an instant money transfer service
for the operator’s customers. In March, TIM and C6 announced a partnership that would see the
operator take a stake of up to 15% in the bank, conditional on performance.
• August 2020 – Telefónica Brazil and MercadoPago, the fintech and payments arm of MercadoLibre,
expanded their partnership to create a new way for Mercado Pago users to top up their mobile
phones.
• July 2020 – Oi and fintech Conta Zap announced a partnership to create a digital account
for low-income customers.
• November 2019 – Claro Brazil unveiled a partnership to offer personal credit to pre-approved
customers through Banco Inbursa. Loans range from BRL1,500 to BRL10,000 ($270 to $1,800)
and can be paid in up to 38 monthly instalments, charged directly to the Claro bill.

25
Key trends shaping
the digital landscape
03

Mobile
contributing
to economic
growth and
social progress
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

3.1
Mobile contribution to economic growth
In 2019, mobile technologies and services generated 1.4 million jobs (directly and indirectly) and made a
7% of GDP in Latin America – a contribution that substantial contribution to the funding of the public
amounted to $421 billion of economic value added. sector, with more than $33 billion raised through
The mobile ecosystem also supported around taxes on the sector.
Source: GSMA Intelligence
Figure 14

Mobile contributed $421 billion to Latin America’s economy in 2019

$ billion, % of GDP 2019
$350 $421

MOBILE ECOSYSTEM
5.8%
7.0%

$17 $16
$38 0.3%
0.6% 0.3%
Mobile Rest of mobile Indirect Productivity Total
operators ecosystem

Note: totals may not add up due to rounding

Source: GSMA Intelligence

Figure 15

The direct economic contribution is driven primarily by mobile operators

$ billion, % GDP 2019

$38

0.6%

$7 $5 $4
0.1% $2 0.1% 0.1%
0.0%
Infrastructure Mobile operators Device Distributors and Content, apps and
providers manufacturers retailers service providers

Note: totals may not add up due to rounding

27
Mobile contributing
to economic growth
and social progress
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

Source: GSMA Intelligence

Figure 16

The mobile ecosystem directly employs 620,000 people in Latin America, and supports
another 810,000 jobs indirectly in other parts of the economy
Jobs (000s), 2019
811 1,434

INDIRECT

88 623 TOTAL

81
161
207 38 DIRECT

47
Infrastructure Mobile Device Distributors Distributors Content,
providers operators manufacturers & retailers & retailers apps &
(formal) (informal) service
providers
Note: totals may not add up due to rounding

Source: GSMA Intelligence

Figure 17

In 2019, the mobile ecosystem contributed around $33 billion to the funding of the public
sector through consumer and operator taxes
$ billion, 2019
$4 $33
$5
$8
$15

Services VAT, sales Handset VAT, Corporate taxes on Employment Total

taxes and excise sales taxes, profits taxes and social
duties excise and security
customs duties

Note: totals may not add up due to rounding

28
Mobile contributing
to economic growth
and social progress
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

3.2
Mobile bringing more people online
The Covid-19 pandemic has cast a spotlight on online and providing a platform to create, distribute
connectivity and its role in sustaining social and and consume life-enhancing digital services. At
economic activity in today’s increasingly digital the end of 2019, 343 million people across the
society. Lockdown measures at the peak of the crisis region were connected to the mobile internet – an
resulted in many everyday activities moving online increase of 15 million on 2018. However, around 285
– a situation likely to continue to varying degrees million people remain offline and excluded from
for as long as the threat of the disease persists. This the digital economy in the region. Around 93% of
underscores the need for universal access to reliable, the population is covered by a mobile broadband
high-speed connectivity to ensure everyone is able network, reflecting operators’ investments over the
to stay connected. It also emphasises the need for last decade. However, around 38% of the population
a range of relevant digital content and services that covered but not yet using mobile internet face
meet the socioeconomic, cultural and lifestyle needs barriers other than coverage – in particular, the
of local users. high cost of internet devices and services relative
to the earnings of consumers in the lowest income
In Latin America, mobile technology continues to
brackets.
play a key role in bringing unconnected populations

Source: GSMA Intelligence

Figure 18

The challenges to connecting unconnected populations are multifaceted, with the most
prominent being demand-side factors
Countries with the highest proportion of non-internet users in Latin America

7% 45m 5% 5% 5% 5%
10%
19%
38%
38% 240m
53% 52% 51%
56% 46%
44%

57%
55% 343m
42% 43% 44% 44%
37% 39%

5%
Latin Cuba Honduras Nicaragua Paraguay Guatemala Bolivia Venezuela
America

Mobile internet Covered but do not Not covered

subscribers use the internet

29
Mobile contributing
to economic growth
and social progress
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

Source: GSMA
Figure 19

According to the GSMA’s Mobile Connectivity Index, infrastructure has improved

significantly, reflecting operators’ investment in 4G networks, but affordability remains low
GSMA Mobile Connectivity Index scores

73 74
57 61 59 62 65
50 47 48

Latin America Infrastructure Affordability Consumer Content and

overall index Readiness Services

2016 2019

As digital technologies have become central to • In Panama, the public service regulator Autoridad
everyday life, governments and mobile industry Nacional de los Servicios Públicos (ASEP),
players across the region are united on the objective authorised temporary use of additional spectrum
of closing the digital divide. Recent examples of (initially for 90 days, later extended) for mobile
initiatives include the following: to cope with the increase in demand and changes
in traffic patterns. However, the high price of
• In Colombia, the government eliminated VAT (19%)
spectrum remains a challenge, and there is a need
on prepaid and contract mobile service plans
to find a long-term solution that keeps spectrum
(voice and data) up to COP71.2 ($17) for a period of
assigned for the benefit of consumers.
four months, to improve the affordability of mobile,
particularly for those in lower income groups. • In Mexico, the government designated
communications as an essential service during
• In Argentina, the National Communications
lockdown. As a result, the Federal Institute of
Authority (ENACOM), Argentine Satellite Solutions
Telecommunications (IFT) issued a request
Company and service providers announced
to municipal and state authorities to provide
an agreement to ensure connectivity during
concessions to operators to enable them to carry
the lockdown period. The agreement allowed
out necessary installation and maintenance on
operators to divert data traffic to each other’s
telecoms networks, as well as authorise the safe
networks to manage the increased network traffic.
transit of staff within their jurisdictions.
• In Peru, Telefónica announced that more than
Beyond short-term measures during the pandemic,
135,000 people living in rural areas of the Puno
there is a need for governments, the mobile
region had been connected to 4G broadband
industry and other stakeholders to work together
through ‘Internet for All’ (IPT) – a company created
on sustainable solutions. These include long-term
in partnership with Facebook, IDB Invest and CAF
spectrum frameworks and fiscal policies that support
Development Bank to close the digital divide in the
the timely and efficient deployment of mobile
country. IPT aims to bring 4G connectivity to more
broadband networks and improve the affordability of
than 30,000 communities by 2021.
mobile devices and services for end users.

30
Mobile contributing
to economic growth
and social progress
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

3.3
The mobile industry’s response to Covid-19
Latin America has been hit hard by the Covid-19 The mobile industry has largely risen to the
pandemic. There were more than 10 million reported challenge of keeping people connected, through
cases as of the end of October 2020, and the IMF resilient network infrastructure. Mobile operators
expects the region’s economy to shrink by 9.4% in have gone further to provide support for vulnerable
2020, leaving many people vulnerable to both a individuals and communities. This includes providing
health crisis and the consequent economic fallout. discounts on mobile services, free access to health
and online learning platforms, medical equipment
supplies for health workers, and access to additional
entertainment content during lockdown.

Source: Company reports, GSMA Intelligence

Figure 20

Selected operator response measures to the Covid-19 pandemic in Latin America

Market Initiatives

Multiple • Around 12.6 million people, including more than 2.6 million children, benefited from
markets a partnership between Millicom (Tigo) and Unicef to ensure learning continued for
children affected by lockdowns in nine Latin American countries (Bolivia, Colombia,
Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and Paraguay).
Tigo provided access to government education platforms free of charge, allowing
national educational authorities to continue implementing online education
programmes. SMS has also been used to disseminate messaging on health and
protection measures.

Argentina • Telefónica, Claro and Personal partnered with the Ministry of Education and the
National Commnications Agency (ENACOM) to provide free access to educational
platforms and virtual classrooms at around 57 national universities.
• Telefónica donated ARS10 million ($130,000) to a public-private campaign,
#SeamosUno, to purchase and distribute food and medical supplies.

Bolivia • Entel offered discounted tariffs for various services.

Brazil • Telefónica donated BRL16.3 million ($2.9 million) for health equipment and food for
children in vulnerable situations. Telefónica also partnered with Santander Brazil to
import 200 respirators from China to support the health response, and zero-rated
access to collaboration platforms for corporate customers.
• Claro increased data consumption limits and opened its public Wi-Fi networks to
everyone, including non-customers.

31
Mobile contributing
to economic growth
and social progress
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

Market Initiatives

Chile • Claro, Entel, GTD, Movistar and VTR signed up to the Transport and
Telecommunications Ministry’s Solidarity Connectivity Plan, which allows users
who cannot afford to pay their telecoms bills to temporarily suspend their regular
service charges and activate a free 60-day connectivity bundle to browse the web
and access emails. The plan was expected to benefit 3 million households in Chile in
the low-income category.
• Mobile operators, under the auspices of the Mobile Telephone Association
(ATELMO), partnered with the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications (MTT)
and Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) to provide free access to online learning
content for more than 3 million students.
• Telefónica provided additional data allowances to support SMEs and remote
working, as well as discounts for over 65 year-olds and those who had lost their
jobs.

Colombia • Telefónica partnered with 50 universities to guarantee virtual education to 20,000

students through mobile connectivity, and launched unlimited data plans to help
people stay connected.
• Claro offered contract customers additional data at no extra cost to help people
stay connected.

Costa Rica • Telefónica offered customers free access to music streaming apps to provide
mental support during lockdown, and zero-rated access to video learning and
collaboration tools.

Dominican • Claro partnered with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology
Republic (MESCYT), the Dominican Association of Universities (ADOU) and the Dominican
Association of University Rectors (ADRU) to offer discounted internet plans to
more than 600,000 students and 30,000 teachers from 51 universities.

Ecuador • Telefónica facilitated remote psychological care for the elderly in partnership with
the Municipality of Quito and Microsoft. It also donated masks and other protective
equipment to health personnel.

Mexico • Telefónica Foundation, through the #SumaFuerzas programme, donated MXN11

million ($500,000) for the purchase of personal protection supplies for hospitals,
and offered free mobile service to health professionals for three months.
• AT&T allocated around MXN60 million ($2.9 million) to support specific health,
food, education and other social causes for vulnerable people. The operator also
offered additional mobile services free of charge to customers.

32
Mobile contributing
to economic growth
and social progress
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

Market Initiatives

Panama • All four mobile operators jointly announced a Solidarity Mobile Plan – a free, basic
package for those unable to afford their current tariff. The plan provided 200 SMS
and 100 voice minutes (both within the same network), as well as free access to the
Panama Solidarity Portal and the websites of the Ministries of Health, Education
and Public Security.

Paraguay • Mobile operators provided free access to the websites of the Ministry of Health
and the World Health Organization, and delivered free SMS with content from the
government.

Peru • Mobile operators partnered with Facebook to develop an app allowing people to
access websites using a daily allocation of free mobile data, for enhanced access to
health information during the pandemic.
• Telefónica partnered with the Ministry of Education (MINEDU) to provide
educational content to students through the Movistar Play video streaming
platform.

Uruguay • Antel partnered with the Bank of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay (BROU) to
develop a mobile app to facilitate the delivery of emergency food baskets and other
supplies from the Ministry of Social Development.
• Telefónica Foundation donated $400,000 for the purchase of medical equipment
and provided free access to online learning platforms.

33
Mobile contributing
to economic growth
and social progress
04

Future-proofing
policy and
regulation
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

In 2020, digital technologies became even more integral to the way people
live and interact, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Today, the role of
mobile networks as the foundation for a modern, connected and constantly
evolving society has never been more important.
Following sustained investment by mobile operators, While the lockdown measures put in place to tackle
mobile networks in Latin America have largely the spread of the pandemic have highlighted the
remained resilient and coped with unprecedented importance of fast, reliable access to connectivity,
demand for connectivity during the pandemic. they have also exposed the inflexible frameworks
Mobile networks have enabled digital financial behind legacy public policies and regulation.
services for the unbanked as governments have These impede the efficient expansion of mobile
taken steps to reduce reliance on cash. Networks connectivity and the benefits it can bring to society.
have also supported remote working and learning,
To address the challenges highlighted by
and enabled businesses to sustain their activities
the pandemic, there is a need for continued
online.
collaboration between policymakers, regulatory
The mobile industry plays a key role in the economic authorities and mobile operators to build sustainable
development of Latin America. The case for network infrastructure.
economic recovery through digitisation is evidenced
During the pandemic, some governments in Latin
by its impact on gross domestic product (GDP).
America have adopted temporary measures to
A 10% increase in mobile internet penetration has
address the needs of citizens and meet the rapid
the potential to increase GDP by 1.2%, while a 10%
growth in traffic. For example, in Panama, public
increase in the digitisation of a country can result in
service regulator Autoridad Nacional de los Servicios
a GDP uplift of 1.9%.5 The digital transformation of
Públicos (ASEP) authorised temporary use of
public and social services, including education and
additional spectrum (initially for 90 days, later
health, can further promote the adoption of mobile
extended) for mobile services, to cope with the
connectivity by citizens, boost productivity and drive
increase in demand and change in traffic patterns.
significant efficiencies across the economy.
However, the high price of spectrum remains a
Source: ITU
challenge. A long-term solution needs to be found
Figure 21 that keeps spectrum assigned for the benefit of
consumers.
Impact on GDP
Other recent policies to support the sustainability of
the industry include the following:

10% increase in • In Colombia, certain mobile plans were made

mobile internet exempt from VAT to ease the tax burden on
penetration 1.2% increase users and encourage use of telecoms services.
in GDP In addition, the periodic fees paid by service
providers to the Single Fund for Information and
Communication Technologies were reduced from
2.2% to 1.9% of gross income. The tax exemption
10% increase and reduction of charges were aimed at boosting
in CAF Digital digital inclusion and the sustainability of networks.
Ecosystem
Development 1.9% increase • In Brazil, the government published a decree
Index in GDP regulating the country’s antenna law to stimulate
network deployment. The publication of the
document has been a request from the industry
since approval in 2015. As of May 2020, around
4,000 installation requests had not been attended
to, holding back around BRL2 billion ($371.6
million) of infrastructure investment.6
35
5. The economic contribution of broadband, digitisation and ICT regulation, ITU, 2019
6. “What will change for telcos with Brazil’s antenna decree?”, bnamericas, September 2020 Future-proofing
policy and regulation
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

4.1
Policy recommendations for the digital transformation of Latin
America
Policies and regulatory frameworks in Latin to create future-proof frameworks that allow for
American countries frequently change – often in the simplification of regulation and pave the way
response to political factors or to keep pace with for new services.
advances in technology. Policymakers should seek
Source: GSMA
Figure 22

Policy recommendations for Latin America

Evolve regulatory frameworks Foster dialogue between

and national policies different government agencies

Update policy frameworks to make them Nurture dialogue between Congress, NRAs,
consistent with connectivity goals. policymakers and the private sector.

Enable and encourage Close the digital inclusion

investment gap

Foster competition and implement enabling

Build fiscal policy that fosters investment.
spectrum policies.

36
Future-proofing
policy and regulation
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

1 Evolve to smarter regulation that encourages investment, removes barriers

and creates new growth opportunities
The first step in providing high-quality services to policy frameworks that hinder the development of
more people is to carry out an analysis of existing the sector – one which has the potential to alter the
policies and frameworks. There is a need to look at balance of a country’s GDP and involve more people
efficiencies and eliminate regulation and historical in the economy through the digital ecosystem.

Source: GSMA
Figure 23

Policy actions to encourage investment and modernise regulation 7

Encourage network Modernise

investment regulation

Implement a broadband policy with Adopt functionality-based, technology-

clear goals neutral regulation

Support infrastructure Favour ex-post approaches over ex-ante,

deployment prescriptive regulation

Focus on spectrum allocation and use, Apply regulations consistently across the
not auction revenues digital ecosystem

2 Foster dialogue between Congress, regulatory authorities, policymakers

and the private sector
The relationship between the Executive Branch, the connectivity and deliver the socioeconomic benefits
Legislature and the private sector is fundamental of digitisation. Policies that are carried out without
to creating and applying policies consistent with due consultation with sector authorities/experts,
digital agendas that promote digital inclusion, or recognition of advances in technology, can
encourage investment and look to the long term. negatively impact the sustainability of the industry
A full understanding of the digital economy and and further exclude unconnected citizens from the
connectivity is essential to formulate forward- benefits of a digital society.
looking public policies that can enhance

37
7. Mobile Policy Handbook, GSMA, 2019
Future-proofing
policy and regulation
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

3 Build fiscal policy consistent with the boost in investment and GDP that
digitisation can generate
Increasing GDP and productivity across the region the productivity of economies and increases the
over the medium to long term will largely depend efficiency of markets.8 However, sector-specific taxes
on fiscal policies that encourage investment and job on the mobile sector have the potential to reduce the
creation. Mobile internet improves communication affordability of services and devices, and discourage
and access to information, allows people to investment.
access more products and services, improves

Plan long-term spectrum policies, focusing on digital inclusion, innovation and

4 investment
Governments should avoid inflating prices (for Recommended spectrum policies to unlock
example, through reserve prices or excessive annual benefits for citizens:
fees) as they risk reducing investment in networks
• Predictable and timely spectrum licensing should
and increasing the cost of services. Spectrum
be adopted to encourage long-term network
policies should focus on expanding the capacity
investment.
and coverage of current networks, but should also
take a long-term perspective. Spectrum policies that • There should be a presumption of licence renewal
maximise the welfare of citizens are essential. to encourage long-term network investment.
A long-term spectrum roadmap is needed to • Spectrum licences should be technology and
protect and encourage investment. In particular, service neutral.
governments need to take into account the • Licence durations should be at least 20 years to
development of 5G and adopt public policy incentivise network investment.
measures that leverage its potential. Governments
and regulators need to take national spectrum • Competition can be supported by licensing as
policy measures to incentivise significant, long-term much spectrum as possible and limiting charges
investment in 5G networks (e.g. long-term licences, and other barriers to services, including set-asides.
clear renewal procedures and spectrum roadmaps). • Spectrum harmonisation is needed at regional and
global levels.
• Spectrum prices should be set conservatively
and should consider the cost of obligations as a
discount on the reserve prices or upfront fees.

8. 5G Spectrum Positions, GSMA, 2020

38
Future-proofing
policy and regulation
 The Mobile Economy Latin America 2020

4.2
Setting the stage for 5G
In Latin America, Brazil and Uruguay have launched More spectrum beyond 80–100 MHz will be required
5G services, with 5G trials conducted in at least eight as 5G demand increases. Reusing 4G bands and
other markets. We expect the technology to spread extending the 3.5 GHz range are important steps,
to the rest of the region over the course of the next but adding new bands is also important. Here,
decade, but it is important that policymakers start mobile operators agree that the 6 GHz band offers
planning now. Making sure the required spectrum significant potential. It is already used for backhaul,
resources are available under optimum conditions and operators are making the case for its use in 5G
when the time is right to launch helps lower mobile networks. Part of the band is also up for discussion
broadband costs, increase coverage and boost at WRC-23. Discussions regarding the band’s future
connectivity. need to focus on maximising its value and balancing
different uses.
The success of 5G services will depend on a
significant amount of new harmonised mobile Momentum behind mmWave spectrum is also
spectrum. Ensuring the timely availability of prime growing. At WRC-19, countries supported a
bands – including those requiring defragmentation harmonised identification of 26, 40 and 66–71 GHz
– should be a priority. Regulators should aim to for ultra-high-speed and ultra-low-latency services.
make available 80–100 MHz of contiguous spectrum National governments around the world now have
per operator in prime 5G mid bands (e.g. 3.5 GHz) the opportunity to consider mobile assignments
and around 1 GHz per operator in high bands (e.g. across the mmWave spectrum identified. In doing
mmWave spectrum). Lower bands (e.g. 600 MHz) so, they can help deliver long-lasting socioeconomic
are also key to set the stage for 5G to reach more benefits. The financial impact by 2034 is estimated
people, due to their greater coverage capabilities. to be $20.8 billion or a 1.2% GDP increase in Latin
America.10
Mid-range frequencies are used as the basis for
the first commercial 5G services all over the world. Once assigned, mmWave 5G can enable innovative
The initial focus on the 3.5 GHz range in particular new services in areas such as manufacturing,
produces the scale needed to bring down the transport, healthcare and education. While mid-band
cost of network equipment and mobile devices. spectrum is the birthplace of 5G, mmWave spectrum
Harmonisation has always played a key role in the can power its most groundbreaking services. The
success of mobile networks; 5G is no different. Latin first commercial mmWave 5G networks are already
America has expressed its plans for this band, while capable of gigabit speeds.
the GSMA expects more countries to follow and
make 5G a reality throughout the region. The GSMA
has released a report on the status of the band in
the region and expects more countries to make 5G a
reality.9

39
9. 5G and the 3.5 GHz range in Latin America, GSMA, 2020
10. Study on Socio-Economic Benefits of 5G Services Provided in mmWave Bands, GSMA, 2018 Future-proofing
policy and regulation
gsma.com
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