![]() |
Mobile network coverage and evolving technologies: ITU |
There is a common perception that people worldwide have access to the Internet, which is supported by the fact that 84 percent of the global population has access to mobile-broadband networks
(3G or above). However, mobile-broadband networks reach just 67 percent of the global rural population.
With respect to Long-Term Evolution, commonly marketed as 4G LTE, a standard for wireless communication of high-speed data for mobile phones and data terminals, "LTE networks have spread quickly
over the last three years and
reach almost 4 billion people
today (53% of the global population),
enhancing the quality of
Internet use."
![]() |
World's Offline Population, 2016: ITU |
The digital divide remains a significant problem in 2016. The ITU claims that "close to one out of two
people (47%) in the world are
using the Internet but only
one out of seven people in
the LDCs.
Developed regions are home
to one billion Internet users,
compared to 2.5 billion users
in the developing world."
It is encouraging, however, to read that "in developing countries, the number of mobile-broadband subscriptions continues to grow at double digit rates, reaching a penetration rate of close to 41%. The total number of mobile-broadband subscriptions is expected to reach 3.6 billion by end 2016."
Not surprisingly, lower costs to access ICT services via mobile devices is a key driver to smartphone and LTE adoption, particularly in developing countries. "The average price of a basic fixed-broadband plan is more than twice as high as the average price of a comparable mobile-broadband plan," says the ITU. The report further explains that 83 developing countries had achieved the Broadband Commission's affordability target by end 2015. While five LDCs achieved the Broadband Commission target, broadband, fixed or mobile, remains unaffordable in a majority of the world's poorest countries.
![]() |
Internet Penetration Rate for Men and Women, 2016: ITU |
For the first time, the ITU report provides statistical data regarding the Internet penetration rate for men and women. Disappointingly, "Internet penetration rates are
higher for men than for women
in all regions of the world." The report continues: "The global Internet user gender
gap grew from 11% in 2013 to
12% in 2016. The gap remains
large in the world's Least Developed
Countries (LDCs) - at 31%. In 2016, the regional gender
gap is largest in Africa (23%) and
smallest in the Americas (2%)."
Also for the first time, the report provides statistical data on machine-to-machine (M2M) subscriptions as the Internet of Things (IoT) economy is beginning to accelerate. The report notes that "the countries with the highest M2M
penetration rates are highly industrialized,
advanced economies, including
the Northern European countries of
Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark."
What are your impressions of the ITU report?
Aaron Rose serves as President and CEO of ROI3, Inc., a Seattle, Wash.-based company that empowers people in emerging economies through innovative, technology-based solutions. He is also the editor of Solutions for a Sustainable World.
No comments:
Post a Comment