Social sustainability is at the forefront

Social sustainability is at the forefront, and there is a greater need to address the digital usage gapWhile the mobile industry transitions into big data analytics and AI, the digital usage gap – especially with media literacy, digital skills, cyber crime, accessibility and affordability of handsets globally – will increase if not addressed immediately. MWC24 underscored “Our Digital DNA” as a key theme to enhance and address digital inclusion and diversity.

Environmental sustainability continues to underpin network efficiency, with some players committing to more ambitious net-zero targets
Although environmental sustainability was less prevalent this year, it was embedded into overall dialogues on network energy efficiency or how AI can streamline operations and net-zero goals. Some players, such as Nokia, announced elevated ambitions to their net-zero objectives while MWC was ongoing, while GSMA and Shields unveiled a commerce platform for telcos to track environmental and financial sustainability targets.Additional innovations at MWC24 for environmental sustainability included circularity, the evolution of silicon and partnerships
Sustainable IT, recyclable materials, and other modular solutions were also showcased at MWC – demonstrating that sustainability is becoming more mature as a topic, and newfound innovations are continuing to be discovered throughout the telco’s supply chain.

From an environmental perspective, MWC continues to underpin discussions on network efficiency and renewed commitments to net-zero. However, the latest trend from MWC24 is in the social dimension with the digital usage gap and the need to bring digital upskilling to today’s mobile users.