Global Statistics

Phone Connectivity

20.07.2005 · Research Group on the Global Future

Phone lines are the critical element of the digital world. Without advanced telecommunications, digitalization remains the domain of hobbyists and scientists; none of the promises of a digital world can be fulfilled without a reliable, widespread and inexpensive to use telecommunications infrastructure. Furthermore, measuring telephone connections shows not only a country's participation in the information economy, but also its general tendency to adapt to new technologies.

Source: ITU, 2005

Per capita gross domestic product clearly has a strong direct correlation with telephone connections as a whole. Mobile connections are less clearly related, and are often more determined by local culture or regulatory environment.

Two further important points about phone connections: first, they are the basis for network effects and possibilities in production and the economy as a whole; second, they reflect and magnify existing technical advantages. These two factors favour countries with highly developed telecommunications infrastructures. They find it easiest to both innovate and at the same time to reap the greatest benefits from innovation, leading to a virtuous circle of increasing returns and competitive advantages.


Source: ITU, 2005

Source: ITU, 2005