Pakistan's main digital problem is no longer a lack of mobile networks but a lack of people using them. A new report by the GSMA, the mobile industry's trade body, estimates that about 140m Pakistanis live within mobile-broadband coverage but do not use mobile internet. According to "State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2026", that puts Pakistan alongside Nigeria among the countries with the largest absolute usage gaps. Only India's gap is larger, at 710m people.

The GSMA warns that this problem could have serious consequences. More than 3.4bn people worldwide do not use mobile internet, even though over 90% of them live in areas with mobile-broadband coverage. Unless smartphones become more affordable, the GSMA says, the world risks being divided between people who can benefit from artificial intelligence and people who cannot.

The report shows that the main barriers in Pakistan are social and economic rather than technical. Pakistanis cite limited literacy and digital skills, the cost of devices and services, and a lack of relevant content as the main obstacles. Restrictions imposed by family members are a barrier specific to Pakistan.

Other problems include poor connection quality and concerns about safety and security. These barriers differ between towns and rural areas. As a result, faster networks and newer technology alone will not bring many more people online.

Handset prices remain a major obstacle. At the end of 2025, a basic internet-enabled phone cost 44% of the average monthly income of the poorest fifth of people in low- and middle-income countries. The GSMA estimates that reducing entry-level smartphone prices to $20-30 could make them affordable for an additional 1.6bn-2.2bn people worldwide.

Globally, the report identifies the cost of handsets and limited digital skills as the main reasons people who know about mobile internet still do not use it. Safety and security concerns also discourage many potential users.

Existing internet users face different problems. For people already online, the cost of data and the quality of networks matter more. Slow speeds and unreliable coverage limit how often and how much people use the internet.

The report's findings suggest several policy priorities for Pakistan. These include cheaper smartphones, more competition and local assembly in the handset market, and easier financing for first-time buyers. Digital-skills programmes would need to go beyond basic awareness and teach people how to use digital payments, online shopping, government services, education and job platforms.

The potential gains are significant. Bringing 140m people online could expand digital commerce, financial inclusion, education and access to public services. The report concludes that Pakistan's next stage of digitalisation will depend less on extending networks and more on making mobile internet affordable, useful and accessible to people who already have coverage.