Mobile Telephones

Steve Spence
Updated: 12 August 2021

Summary

Mobile telephones are one of the most rapidly adopted communications technologies in world history. In this they contrast with personal computers. Although PCs were invented decades before the mobile phone, they remain a tool used by a very narrow segment of the global population.

Mobile phones, on the other hand, have quickly become ubiquitous.

Chart 1 focuses on "ICT," or information and communication technology.

Chart 2 focuses only on the United States, but includes a wider range of technologies. Which ones are ICT's?

In 2012, as Roosevelt Giles said, for every 100 people on the planet...

person; feature phone subscription; smartphone subscription
                     
                     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

In 2016, for every 100 people...

person; feature phone subscription; smartphone subscription
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

In 2019, for every 100 people...

person; feature phone subscription; smartphone subscription