In short: According to GSMA Intelligence, smartphones already accounted for 80% of mobile connections in Latin America in 2024 and will reach 91% in 2030, while mobile internet will increase from 64% to 75% of the population and 5G will exceed 400 million connections. The region is experiencing an accelerated transition towards quality connectivity.
When talking about "smartphone penetration in Latin America," it's easy to be tempted to throw out an exact figure per country, a ranking of manufacturers, and a rounded average price, all presented as hard data. The problem is that many of these figures circulating online are estimates without a clear source, extrapolations from old studies, or simply invented. Here, we will do the opposite: stick only to the data that GSMA Intelligence—the global reference entity in mobile telecommunications, the research arm of GSMA, the association that brings together mobile operators worldwide—has published in its report "The Mobile Economy Latin America," and explain what they truly mean for someone living, working, or traveling in the region.
There are no tables here with the price of the latest Galaxy A in Mexican pesos or a breakdown of market share by brand: such data, when not cited with specific source and date, are unreliable. What we do have is the picture that GSMA paints about where Latin American mobile connectivity is heading between now and 2030, and it is a picture with interesting nuances.
What GSMA says about smartphone penetration in Latin America
The starting point is this: according to GSMA Intelligence, smartphones represented 80% of all mobile connections in the region in 2024. That is, out of every ten active mobile lines in Latin America, eight already correspond to a smartphone and only two to a basic or "feature" phone. The same source projects that this proportion will rise to 91% by 2030.
This jump from 80% to 91% in six years is not just a minor statistical adjustment. It means that the basic terminal, which only serves for calls and SMS, is in an accelerated phase of extinction in the region. And it has a direct practical implication for anything related to mobile data, apps, geolocation, or—what concerns us here—connectivity for travelers: it is increasingly less likely to encounter someone, in any corner of Latin America, whose phone is not compatible with the basic functions of a modern smartphone.
That said, it is worth being honest about the limits of the data: GSMA speaks of a regional average, not a country-by-country breakdown verified with a public source. Latin America is not a homogeneous bloc—it ranges from economies with high per capita income to others much more limited—so it is reasonable to assume that there are notable differences from one country to another, even if we do not have an official and citable figure for each one.
Mobile internet in the region: the closing gap
GSMA's second data point goes a step further than the device and measures something even more relevant: how many people actually use mobile internet, not just how many have a smartphone in their pocket. Here, the figure is that mobile internet penetration in Latin America will reach close to 75% of the population by 2030, compared to 64% recorded in 2024.
The difference between "having a smartphone" (80-91%) and "using mobile internet" (64-75%) is the usage gap: people who own a phone capable of connecting to data but who, due to plan cost, network coverage, or simply a perceived lack of need, do not browse regularly. This is a pattern repeated in many developing regions and that GSMA has been documenting globally for years. What is relevant about the 2026 data is the direction: the gap is closing, not widening. Going from 64% to 75% by 2030 implies that tens of millions of people who today have the hardware but not the habit (or the budget) will join the mobile network in the coming years.
For travelers, this translates into a progressive and constant improvement in practical coverage: more towers, more investment by local operators, more competition among them, and generally a more reliable data experience in areas that were blind spots just a few years ago.
5G is already a reality in over a dozen countries
GSMA's third block of data focuses on network technology, not just the device. And here the message is that 5G in Latin America has ceased to be a promise of the future and has become deployed infrastructure: more than 30 operators in 13 countries in the region have already launched commercial 5G service. GSMA projects that 5G connections will exceed 400 million by 2030, which would be equivalent to 53% of the total mobile connections in the region—that is, more than half of the mobile base operating on the new generation network.
That 13 countries already have operational commercial 5G, with more than 30 operators deploying it, indicates that this is not a technology limited to the capitals of two or three large economies: the deployment is quite geographically widespread, although—again, being rigorous—GSMA does not break down here what percentage of the population of each country has real 5G coverage right now, only that the infrastructure already exists and continues to grow.
For the traveler, 5G itself is not decisive—a data eSIM works perfectly on a 4G/LTE network in the vast majority of destinations and uses—but it is a good indirect indicator of how much local operators are investing in their networks. The more operators compete in technology, the better the conventional data coverage that your travel eSIM will use tends to be.
The economic value of mobile connectivity for the region's economy
The fourth data point quantifies the economic weight of all this. According to GSMA, in 2025 mobile technologies and services generated 600 billion dollars of economic value in Latin America, equivalent to 8.6% of the regional GDP. This figure positions the mobile sector not as a technological niche, but as one of the structural levers of the Latin American economy, comparable in weight to traditionally considered pillars such as energy or agro-industry in several countries in the region.
This 8.6% of GDP does not come solely from the sale of devices or operator tariffs: GSMA includes in its methodology indirect and induced effects—e-commerce that depends on mobile connection, digital banking, app-coordinated logistics, tourism organized and paid for from mobile—in addition to the productivity gains brought by digitalization. In short, it is proof that mobile connectivity in Latin America is no longer a supporting infrastructure: it is an economic driver in its own right.
The four GSMA data points, at a glance
| Indicator | Data | Horizon | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smartphones as a percentage of total mobile connections | 80% (2024) → 91% (2030) | 2024-2030 | GSMA Intelligence, The Mobile Economy Latin America |
| Mobile internet penetration as a percentage of population | 64% (2024) → ~75% (2030) | 2024-2030 | GSMA Intelligence |
| Projected 5G connections | Over 400 million (53% of total); more than 30 operators in 13 countries already with commercial 5G | 2030 Horizon | GSMA Intelligence |
| Economic value generated by mobile technologies and services | 600 billion USD (8.6% of regional GDP) | 2025 | GSMA Intelligence |
Two speeds, one trend
What is seen when the two bars are placed side by side is that hardware advances somewhat faster than effective data usage. This makes sense: buying or inheriting a smartphone is a one-time decision, while becoming a regular mobile internet user depends on factors that are slower to change—the price of local data plans, digital literacy, the availability of relevant content and services in the language and context of each user. Both curves, however, point upwards and show no signs of stagnation.
What this means for you if you travel to Latin America
This entire GSMA overview has a very specific meaning if your interest is not academic but you are planning a trip. Here are the practical conclusions:
Basic connectivity is no longer the problem it used to be. With 80% of the regional mobile base already being smartphones in 2024 (and rising), and with over 30 operators deploying 5G in 13 countries, the infrastructure supporting any travel eSIM is undergoing sustained investment. This does not guarantee perfect coverage everywhere—rural or mountainous areas will remain a challenge in any country in the world—but it does mean that the general trend is in your favor.
Understanding what an eSIM is saves you surprises before traveling. If you have never used one, it is best to start with the basics: what an eSIM is and how it works explains the technology without jargon, and how to install an eSIM step-by-step guides you through the process, which usually takes a few minutes if your phone is compatible.
Comparing eSIM with traditional roaming will save you money. Roaming from your home country's operator is still, in most cases, the most expensive option for connecting outside your country. It is worth understanding what data roaming is and directly comparing eSIM vs. traditional roaming before activating anything upon arrival at the airport.
If your route isn't just in Latin America, plan the rest of your itinerary as well. PuraSIM covers over 200 destinations, so if after your Latin American stop you continue to the United States, you can check the eSIM for the United States, and if you return to Spain, the eSIM for Spain will keep you from relying on airport Wi-Fi as soon as you land.
If you are a digital nomad, the trend benefits you doubly. With mobile internet penetration rising from 64% to 75% of the population and 5G expanding, working remotely from Latin American cities is increasingly viable. This eSIM guide for digital nomads delves into how to organize connectivity when your trip lasts months, not days.
Compare prices before deciding, not just destinations. The cost of an eSIM varies greatly depending on the destination and the volume of data you need; this eSIM price ranking by destination gives you a quick reference so you don't overpay. And if you are interested in the broader industry context, global eSIM market growth statistics put Latin American data in a worldwide perspective.
And if something goes wrong during your trip—an activation that doesn't quite complete, a question about how much data you have left—PuraSIM offers 24/7 support via email and WhatsApp, so you don't depend on finding Wi-Fi to resolve an issue.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of mobile connections in Latin America are smartphones?
According to GSMA Intelligence, 80% of mobile connections in the region were smartphones in 2024, and that figure is projected to reach 91% in 2030.
How many people use mobile internet in Latin America?
GSMA places mobile internet penetration at 64% of the population in 2024, with a projected growth to close to 75% in 2030.
Is 5G widespread in Latin America?
Yes, increasingly so: more than 30 operators in 13 countries in the region have already launched commercial 5G service, according to GSMA data, which projects over 400 million 5G connections by 2030 (53% of the total).
What is the economic value of the mobile sector in the region?
GSMA estimates that mobile technologies and services generated 600 billion dollars of economic value in Latin America in 2025, equivalent to 8.6% of the regional GDP.
Do I need 5G for a travel eSIM to work well?
No. A travel data eSIM works perfectly normally on a 4G/LTE network, which remains the basis of coverage in the vast majority of areas in Latin America. 5G is an additional improvement, not a requirement.
In how many destinations in Latin America can I use a PuraSIM eSIM?
PuraSIM covers more than 200 destinations worldwide, with 24/7 support via email and WhatsApp to resolve any activation questions before or during your trip.
Where exactly does this data come from?
All data in this article comes from the "The Mobile Economy Latin America" report by GSMA Intelligence, the research arm of GSMA, the global association that brings together mobile operators. No figures from other sources or self-estimates have been used.
