This impact is grounded in industry players' investments in technological improvements which enable innovative products and services. In stark contrast with the promises of the fourth industrial revolution (WEF, 2016), a review of the recent financial performance of the telecommunication sector shows that industry players operate in an increasingly mature and challenging environment characterized by stalling revenue growth and difficulties in balancing investments and profitability. Estimates have been made for countries that do not report revenue or capital expenditure information, in order to complete regional aggregations. Mobile technology has been the engine fuelling access to Internet services, notably in developing economies, where mobile tends to be the primary means for accessing the Internet.