A World Talking To Itself: Cellphones Hit 50% Worldwide Usage

Telecom & Wireless

Published: February 7, 2008 6:30 am

ET will not have to phone home. He can talk to more than half of the world’s population. According to stats from the US, cellphone penetration will hit 3.3 billion people this year.

According to The Wall Street Journal "ownership rates in developing countries are rising fastest, with Brazil, Russia, India and China accounting for one billion subscribers last year."

That includes people who bought a phone, but can’t afford to pay for service.

The news is bound to be music to the ears of companies like Nokia (NYSE: NOK), Samsung, and even embattled Motorola (NYSE: MOT) at some point every one of those phones will need to be replaced or upgraded. Over 3.3 billion handset sales is as big as any market in the world.

Douglas A. McIntyre

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