Mobile Phones – Key to Global Development

The ITU today released a major survey on global access to information, comparing developments in information and communication technologies.

A lot of food for thought.

Based on ITU estimates, 23 out of 100 inhabitants globally used the Internet at the end of 2008. But penetration levels in the developing countries remain low. Africa with 5 per cent penetration is lagging behind.

The global trend shows significant growth in mobiles: Six in 10 people across the globe now use mobile phones, particularly in developing countries. By the end of 2008, there were an estimated 4.1 billion subscribers globally. In 2002, there were about 1 billion.

Some developing countries have moved up considerably in the Index over the five-year period, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, China and Viet Nam. This is partly due to high mobile cellular growth, coupled with an increase in Internet users. China (Rank 73 in 2007 up from 90 in 2002), has made significant progress in increasing the number of fixed telephone lines and mobile subscriptions as well as fixed broadband during the past few years.

Here are the world leaders in access:

How does the world rank countries with the lowest costs:

The UK ranked tenth. Canada dropped ten places in the last six years to 19th.

India adds 10 million new mobile subscribers each month. The future of information access is likely to rest on new applications for mobiles.