Monday, 26 May 2014
Globally, the online population is on a
meteoric rise. By year-end the world will be home to three billion
internet users of which two-thirds will be from developing countries,
according to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). Also,
mobile-broadband subscriptions will approach a 2.3 billion figure while
the number of mobile-cellular subscriptions will be 7 billion, the
United Nations` telecommunication division explained in its new ICT
statistics report.
Internet Users in 2014: The developing world is playing catch-up
In case you missed it, within five years, the number of internet users in the developing world is going to experience a two-fold rise, to an estimated 1.9 billion in 2014 from 974 million in 2009. This means that the developing nations will make up two-third of the global 3 billion internet population by year-end. Globally in 2014, 44% of households will benefit from an internet connection this year. In developed countries, the percentage flirts with 78 while in emerging nations, households with internet access will amount to 31%. However, as the report also mentioned, 4 billion individuals are not yet connected to the internet and 90% of them live in the developing world.Global Mobile Broadband in 2014: Penetration will reach 32%
In addition to the projected 32% mobile
broadband penetration – which is a two-fold rise from 2011 – the world
will have 2.3 million mobile-broadband subscribers
No surprises, Europe has the highest mobile broadband penetration rate with 64%, the Americas stand at the second place with 59%, the Commonwealth Independent States reside at the 3rd position with 49%, the Arab States have the 4th place with a percentage of 25 and Africa sits last on the table with 19%.
Nonetheless, 2014 augurs well for Africa as the continent will record the steepest pace of growth in this category considering that in 2010 mobile broadband penetration rate was only 2%.
No surprises, Europe has the highest mobile broadband penetration rate with 64%, the Americas stand at the second place with 59%, the Commonwealth Independent States reside at the 3rd position with 49%, the Arab States have the 4th place with a percentage of 25 and Africa sits last on the table with 19%.
Nonetheless, 2014 augurs well for Africa as the continent will record the steepest pace of growth in this category considering that in 2010 mobile broadband penetration rate was only 2%.
World Mobile-Cellular Subscriptions in 2014: Figures will hit 7 billion
It may be a rosy or creepy prediction,
but as the year draws to a close, the number of mobile-cellular
subscriptions will reach 7 billion, almost similar to the number of
individuals on earth.
And this time, the Asia-Pacific region will snag the top spot, with a forecast 3.6 million subscriptions and a penetration rate of 89% to end this year. However Africa is also picking up the pace as mobile-cellular infiltration will hit 69%.
It is also worth noting that fixed broadband continues to be adopted on the world stage despite slow speed. In the industrial part of the world, fixed-broadband penetration will increase by 3.5% in 2014, while in developing economies, growth will revolve around six percent. International Telecommunications Union or shortly ITU, is the telecommunication and information agency of the United Nations. Like Brahima Sanou, the Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau stated in the report, ITU’s mission ‘is to bring ICTs into the hands of ordinary people, wherever they live.’
And this time, the Asia-Pacific region will snag the top spot, with a forecast 3.6 million subscriptions and a penetration rate of 89% to end this year. However Africa is also picking up the pace as mobile-cellular infiltration will hit 69%.
It is also worth noting that fixed broadband continues to be adopted on the world stage despite slow speed. In the industrial part of the world, fixed-broadband penetration will increase by 3.5% in 2014, while in developing economies, growth will revolve around six percent. International Telecommunications Union or shortly ITU, is the telecommunication and information agency of the United Nations. Like Brahima Sanou, the Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau stated in the report, ITU’s mission ‘is to bring ICTs into the hands of ordinary people, wherever they live.’
