If you live anywhere in the Western world, you might be forgiven for thinking that mobile phones are as ubiquitous as trees. In the industrialized world, you can barely throw a rock without hitting a cell phone, but the fact is that most of the world still does not have access to mobile phone technology.
A recently released UN study indicates that in 2008 mobile phone use worldwide will reach 50% of the earth’s population for the first time in history. Although the percentage of mobile phones in North America, Western Europe and most of Asia is much higher than 50%, in the developing world a mobile phone is still very much a luxury, and many areas do not have mobile networks in place for individuals who can afford the phones.
Mobile phone ownership rates have been rising significantly this decade. Countries such as India, Brazil, and China are seeing astronomical growth in the number of citizens owning a mobile phone. For example, China had an estimated one billion cell phone subscribers last year.
At the current rate of growth, mobile phone rates should reach 50% of the world’s population during the first half of 2008, amounting to over 3.3 billion cell phone subscribers worldwide. Back in 2000, a meager 12% of the world’s population owned a mobile phone, indicating that the market is growing faster than even the most optimistic industry analysts had predicted.
The new figures also do not include users who have more than one phone, which could place the number of cell phones worldwide even higher. Another trend reflected in the study was “mobile phone sharing,” which is a common practice in much of the developing world, and gives more individuals access to instant communication.
When you take into account the phenomena of mobile phone sharing, the percentage of individuals worldwide who “have access” to a mobile phone could likely be much higher than the 50% estimate being reported by the UN telecoms agency.
Worldwide increase in cell phones is good news for several different reasons. First, individuals with access to a cell phone tend to be better informed about current events and issues affecting their daily lives, such as severe weather or other emergencies. Cell phone use also keeps people connected with other cultures, which contributes to greater global understanding, and could help reduce the most extreme elements of nationalism and racism.
Mobile phone use also gives individuals access to employment opportunities, and “instant information,” which can improve living conditions and lead to healthier and safer living conditions.
Related Business Directory Categories:
Any chance of supplying a link to that UN report? Thanks.
Comment by KuiperCliff — March 19, 2008 @ 3:31 am