Cellular Phones Close the Telephonic Divide

In 1992, only one in 237 people worldwide used a mobile phone. A decade later, by 2002, this had soared to one in five.

Cellular phones are helping to bridge the telephonic divide between rich and poor. Building cell phone towers is cheaper than stringing traditional wires. As a result, mobile service has dramatically boosted phone access in Africa. In 1999, Uganda became the first African nation to have more mobile than fixed-line customers. Some 30 other African nations have since followed.

Source:

Communications Networks Expand, Vital Signs 2003, pp. 60-61.

Worldwatch Links:

Vital Signs Fact of the Week Archive
Vital Signs 2003 press release
Take action: Vital Signs 2003, What You Can Do
More research from Worldwatch

Additional Resources:

UNDP’s ICT for Development program: www.sdnp.undp.org/it4dev/