The latest statistics released regarding the usage and spread of the Internet across the world offer some interesting insights. ‘The World in 2010: ICT facts & figures’ is a research document by the International Telecommunications Union that provides an indication of how the Web and mobile broadband is spreading and what pace! The new data has been released to mark World Statistics Day on October 20.
ITU is the leading United Nations (UN) agency for issues related to new information & communication technology, and acts as the focal point for governments globally in developing networks and services. Here are some of the interesting revelations in the latest ICT report:
1.6 billion Internet users worldwide
The worldwide Internet users have doubled in the last five years or so. The number of users will cross the two billion mark this year itself. The number of people, who have access to the Internet at their homes, has gone up to nearly 1.6 billion in 2010 from 1.4 billion in 2009.
Most new users now from developing countries
Almost 162 million of the total 226 million new users this year will belong to developing countries, where people using Internet are growing at a faster clip. More than 70% of the developed countries population will be online by the end of 2010 in comparison to just about 21% of the developing countries population. In them 65% of people access the Internet at home, whereas this is the scenario for merely 13.5% of developing countries population. Here Internet access in at public locations and work is critical.
Marked regional differences in Internet spread
Compared to just about 9.6% people in Africa, 65% of Europeans are already on the Internet. With the fast growing high-bandwidth content and apps on the Internet, a growing demand for high-speed broadband connection, a catalyst for growth, is being witnessed. According to Hamadoun Touré, ITU Secretary-General, “Broadband sure is the next major transformational technology; the next tipping point that can drive growth productivity, as well as enhance long-term economic competitiveness.
Strong rise in fixed broadband subscriptions
Over the past year, there has been strong growth in fixed broadband subscriptions. Fixed broadband penetration will touch 8% mark globally by the 2010 end. However, the same is still low in developing countries: 4.4 broadband subscriptions per 100 people in comparison to 24.6 subscriptions in developed countries.
Mobile broadband witnesses good growth in the US and Europe
Mobile telephony is getting ubiquitous, with increased access to mobile networks available to more than 90% of the population worldwide. New data from ITU indicates that 3.8 billion mobile subscriptions will come from the developing world among the estimated total 5.3 billion by the year end. Mobile device penetration now stands at 68% in developing countries, which is greater than any other technology in use before.
Mobile broadband has witnessed strong growth over the past year, especially in the US and Europe. Many countries have started moving to next- generation advanced wireless platforms. The transition from voice to data applications is now well and truly on…
