Additional spectrum below 1 GHz can significantly boost 4G and 5G coverage, speeds and affordability in rural areas, generating tangible benefits for rural communities and economies.
9th February 2026, London.: Governments and regulators can move quickly towards closing the rural digital divide by prioritizing the allocation of additional low-band spectrum and reducing barriers to voluntary network sharing by mobile operators, according to a new GSMA report published today. Spectrum and rural connectivity establishes clear evidence that access to sufficient spectrum below 1 GHz is one of the most effective tools available to improve the coverage, quality and affordability of rural networks, and to unlock broader economic and social benefits for rural communities.
The report concludes that, despite significant progress in expanding network coverage, rural populations continue to 28% less likely to use mobile Internet than their urban counterparts and 30% less likely to regularly participate in online services such as messaging, banking and education. Where connectivity is available, network quality, which relies on low bands in rural areas, remains a key barrier to increased usage, limiting the ability of rural communities to fully participate in the digital economy.
GSMA Intelligence analysis shows that Low band spectrum is essential for rural networks.as its superior propagation characteristics allow signals to travel further and penetrate buildings more effectively. Rural users already rely heavily on these frequencies, spending more than double the time connected to low bands as urban users in 4G and 5G networks.
Critically, the report demonstrates a strong and measurable link between additional low-band spectrum and improved rural connectivity outcomes. Each Additional 50 MHz of sub-1 GHz spectrumis associated with a 7 percentage point increase in 4G coverage and a 11 percentage point increase in 5G coverage in rural areas. The increased availability of low-band spectrum is also related to Higher rural download speeds (improving performance by up to 8%) and reduced cell edge congestionwhere rural users are more likely to experience connectivity challenges.
Lower spectrum costs further strengthen the business case for rural deployment. The GSMA considers that a 10 percentage point reduction in spectrum cost-income ratio It is linked to significant improvements in rural networks, which will allow operators to invest more in expanding coverage and improving quality. Combined with policies that reduce regulatory and site access costs and support voluntary network sharing, affordable access to low-band spectrum can substantially reduce the cost of rural deployment.
“Bridging the digital divide between urban and rural communities allows us to provide everyone with the same digital opportunities, no matter where they live” saying Luciana Camargos, Head of Spectrum at GSMA. “Our analysis shows that low-band spectrum is the foundation of rural mobile connectivity and making more of it available – at affordable prices and with long-term regulatory certainty – can dramatically improve rural coverage, increase speeds and reduce deployment costs. These improvements translate directly into improved access to education, healthcare, financial services and new economic opportunities for rural communities. Governments and regulators have a clear opportunity to accelerate rural development by prioritizing low-band mobile spectrum and reducing barriers to voluntary sharing of networks”.
Beyond connectivity, the report highlights the broader economic impact of improved rural mobile networks. Better coverage and quality enable greater digital participation, support increased productivity in sectors such as agriculture and transport, and strengthen local economies through better access to markets, services and information. By reducing the rural-urban connectivity gap, policymakers can also amplify network effects that increase the overall value of connectivity for society as a whole.
The GSMA urges governments and regulators to take specific measures to maximize the benefits of spectrum for rural connectivity, including:
- Prioritize the allocation of all low-band spectrum allocated to mobile servicesto expand rural coverage and improve speeds;
- Ensure affordable spectrum pricesaligned with economic fundamentals, to support sustainable investment in rural networks;
- Provide long-term regulatory certainty for spectrum accessmatching the long useful life of rural network assets; and
- Reduce barriers to voluntary network sharing and reduce regulatory costsincluding planning and site access, to further improve the economics of rural deployment.
With clear evidence that spectrum policy can directly improve rural connectivity outcomes, the GSMA urges policymakers to place low-band spectrum at the center of national strategies to close the digital divide and drive inclusive economic growth.
ENDS
About the GSMA
The GSMA is a global organization that unifies the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver critical innovation for positive business environments and social change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organizations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA offers its members three broad pillars: connectivity for good, industry services and solutions, and outreach. This activity includes advancing policy, addressing today's biggest societal challenges, supporting the technology and interoperability that make mobile devices work, and providing the world's largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events.
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