Mobile phones penetration for 6 world regions and 3 development aggregates compared in two dimensions – static index and S-time-distance

Mobile phones are very important means for contribution to well-being in terms of communication and connectivity even at undemanding applications. Digital divide for mobile phones penetration is studied in two dimensions – static index and S-time-distance from benchmark Sweden. Sweden was chosen as a benchmark as it is ranked first in ITU’s ICT Development Index. The analysis for 6 world regions and 3 development aggregates is based on regional data provided by ITU to complement earlier analysis by countries.

The exceptional speed of mobile phones diffusion has enabled also developing countries to advance in ten years from 5% to 45% of the penetration level for Sweden. Although the static view of disparities in 2008 remains high (world average is at 50% and Africa at 27% of Sweden) the time distance view shows a more promising picture: world average is less than 9 years and Africa less than 12 years behind Sweden. Visually combining both dimensions and the level of penetration rates provides a broader view of the situation.

The digital divide for mobile penetration rate using specific data for more than 200 countries were presented in Time distance view of 200 countries for mobile phones penetration rate.