IoT, 5G to Play Big Role in Growth of Mobility in North America, GSMA Says

North America’s mobile industry will be worth nearly $1 trillion a year to the region’s economy by 2020, up from $710 billion last year, GSMA reported Tuesday. The launch of 5G, the IoT, smart cities and connected cars will play a role in the growth, GSMA said. “Thanks to the billions of dollars of investment made by mobile operators in their networks in recent years, North America is a leader in mobile usage and engagement, characterised by huge levels of mobile data consumption,” said Michael O’Hara, GSMA chief marketing officer. “The recent decision in the US to identify and open up spectrum for 5G services -- alongside its leadership of the IoT market -- has reaffirmed the region as one of the world’s most advanced mobile markets and one that is leading the next wave of mobile innovation.” Among findings is that smartphones account for 75 percent of the region’s mobile connections, the highest smartphone regional adoption rate.