Mobile phones and the world in 2010

The International Telecommunication Union recently released some updated statistics about the rise of mobile phone technology worldwide (download the PDF). Some highlights include:

• By the end of 2010, there will be an estimated 5.3 billion mobile cellular subscriptions worldwide, including 940 million subscriptions to 3G [Internet] services.
• Access to mobile networks is now available to 90% of the world population and 80% of the population living in rural areas.
• People are moving rapidly from 2G to 3G platforms, in both developed and developing countries. In 2010, 143 countries were offering 3G services commercially, compared to 95 in 2007.
• In the developing world, mobile cellular penetration rates will reach 68% at the end of 2010.
• In 2010, the number of Internet users will surpass the two billion mark, of which 1.2 billion will be in developing countries.

There is a strategic convergence occurring as the people in least-reached people groups (who tend to be oral communicators) increasingly gain access to mobile devices that can download and/or stream multimedia content over the Internet. As more open-licensed discipleship resources are made available, we expect to see new ministry opportunities and accelerated spiritual growth of the global church.