Information Society Watch

May 25, 2008, The Daily Telegraph

The International Telecommunications Union reports that at the end of 2007, the number of mobile phone users in the world was over 3.3 billion, which is equivalent to a penetration rate of roughly 49%. The article notes that developing countries have made significant progress in mobile growth, there is still a 'digital divide' in Internet use and broadband availability. Growth in mobile subscriptions is accompanied by stagnation in traditional fixed lines. The report states the global annual average growth rate at 22 percent, with both Africa's and Asia's mobile subscription growth rate much higher than average. However, low-income countries still remain at risk for falling behind on the benefits of new applications and services because of low broadband access.

Read full text