Mobile users to hit 4bn
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is predicting that global mobile subscribers are likely to reach the four billion mark before the end of this year.
The ITU says that since the turn of the century, the growth of mobile cellular subscribers has been impressive, with year-on-year growth averaging 24% between 2000 and 2008.
Mobile penetration in 2000 stood at just 12% and it reached the 50% mark by early 2008. By the end of 2008 the ITU estimates mobile penetration will reach 61% of the global world.
"The fact that 4 billion subscribers have been registered worldwide indicates that it is technically feasible to connect the world to the benefits of ICT and that it is a viable business opportunity," said Hamadoun Touré, ITU secretary-general.
While the data shows impressive growth, ITU stresses that the figures need to be carefully interpreted. Although in theory a 61 per cent penetration rate suggests that at least every second person could be using a mobile phone, this is not necessarily the case. In fact, the statistics reflect the number of subscriptions, not persons.
Double counting takes place when people have multiple subscriptions. Also, operators’ methods for counting active prepaid subscribers vary and often inflate the actual number of people that use a mobile phone.
On the other hand, the ITU says, some subscribers, particularly in developing countries, share their mobile phone with others.
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