Sample Detail

The line graph provided compares the percentage of various communication services users worldwide from 1998 to 2008. Overall, the proportion of people using all 5 communication services increased over the period, with the figures for cellular phone service witnessing the most dramatic spike, while mobile broadband users rose modestly and by far remained the lowest. About 15 per 100 inhabitants used landline service in 1998, followed by a gradual growth to 20% over 8-year time before ending with a slight fall to roughly 19% in 2008. While starting at a smaller number of around 5 per 100 inhabitants, the share for cellular phone service soon increased approximately 60% throughout the period, surpassing the figures for landline service to occupy the leading users from 2002 onward. To a smaller extent, the percentage of internet service users rose considerably from nearly 3% to 20% between 1998 and 2006, with a final slight increase to over 20% in 2008, overtaking the landline service to rank second in the sector. In contrast, the proportion of fixed and mobile broadband users remained virtually unchanged at 0% from 1998 to 2003, after which they experienced a marginal increase to about 4% in 2008. Despite the same patterns, mobile broadband users still held the lowest share throughout the 10-year period.