Houlin Zhao
Unprecedented development of information and communication technologies has opened up colossal opportunities for socio-economic development worldwide, with 3.2bn having access to the Internet. Of these, 2bn reside in developing states, according to a new report by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The report also notes that, this year, the number of mobile subscribers has exceeded 7bn worldwide (against 738m in 2000).
ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao notes, “This new data testifies to current rapid technological progress while reveal those who remain outside our quickly developing digital economy, and those spheres urgently needing investment.”
Between 2000 and 2015, the number of Internet users has risen from 6.5 percent to 43 percent of the world population. Nevertheless, 4bn people in developing countries lack access.
By Alexander Novikov