Free Market Rings Up 4B Cell Phones Worldwide

6 in 10 connected, thanks to private biz

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 3, 2009 2:37 AM CST

(Newser) – The global explosion in cell phone use is a timely reminder of what free markets can achieve, David A. Gross writes in the Christian Science Monitor. There are now more than 4 billion mobile connections worldwide, two-thirds of them in developing countries, according to a new UN report. This leap from just 1 billion in 2002 was made possible by open markets, Gross notes.

Market reforms in poor nations allowed competition and innovation to thrive, Gross argues. Those billions of cell phone subscriptions could soon be joined by billions of wireless internet connections as well, he adds. If governments can resist the lure of protectionist measures, economies will continue to grow, and "the free flow of information will empower those seeking a better future for themselves and their children," Gross concludes.

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

A Kenyan man talk on a mobile phone at a shop selling Safaricom products in the Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya. (AP Photo/Khalil Senosi)

Alaburu Maiga tries to use the camera on his cell phone with the help of a boy in the village of Gono, Mali. (AP Photo/Heidi Vogt, File)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Why is 4 billion an important number? For starters, it represents the majority of humankind talking to one another, sharing ideas and buying things.
- David A. Gross

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Getty Images

White Grandfather Cuffed for Walking With Black Granddaughter (NewsOne)

Man in Mugshot Explains Why He Has Half a Head (HuffPost)

These Exes Were Spotted Making Out … and That's a Bad Thing (Bleacher Report)

Help! I'm Having an Incestuous Relationship With My Twin (Slate)

Reece Fawns Over Kate and Other Celeb Girl Crushes (Celebuzz)

Partner Links

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

Showing 3 of 3 comments

Zebraone

Mar 3, 2009 7:19 PM CST

Connected?~~~ Shonuff!~~~ And their brain is disconnected!! Keep their eyes and ears occupied while RF creates mongiloids out of them!

Guest

Mar 3, 2009 4:22 AM CST

Finally, someone who believes in free market and no bailouts and no tax breaks and stupid rewards for free enterprise.

Forderon

Mar 3, 2009 2:12 AM CST

One unfortunate side-effect of free enterprise and the freely available technology that results is that it creates a false sense of wealth or progress. I was in India recently and the people there treat cell phones like a status symbol. Who knows how much money they spend on usage. I'm guessing it's a lot and it could be better used to help themselves and their families.

What's Popular Now on Facebook

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds Major Cash Inside

Study Finds Arsenic in Baby Formula, Cereal Bars

Christian Science Monitor (Source Grid »)
Associated Press (Source Grid »)

Developing countries drive growth in mobile use
Guardian (UK)

UN: mobile growth helping poorer countries
Reuters

Technology • Money • World

cell phones • globalization • communication • telecommunications • cell phone industry • free markets • mobile phones

More Newser Stories

Cell Phones Can Be Saviors for World's Poor: UN

Report shows gadgets can lead to better livelihoods

(NEWSER) - For the financially comfortable, cell phones may make life a little easier—but for those in less-developed countries, the gadgets can be the difference between a life of poverty one of relative comfort, a UN report finds. “Mobiles have spawned a wealth of micro-enterprises, offering work to people with little education and few resources,” the report notes. And subscriptions are soaring in the world’s least-developed countries, Fast Company reports. More»

Cell Phones May Raise Risk of Tumors: WHO Study

Lead researcher says kids' use should be restricted

(NEWSER) - One of the most thorough reviews yet of the health risks of cell phones suggests that longtime users face a higher risk of brain tumors. The World Health Organization study is not definitive, but it bolsters the case that precautions make sense. The lead researcher tells the Telegraph she thinks that kids' use of cell phones should be restricted—but not eliminated—and that adults should consider devices such as hands-free kits. More»

Cell Refuseniks Hail Independent Life

They don't respond to every beck and call

(NEWSER) - Most of the remaining few Americans who don't have cell phones are elderly or unable to afford one—but a tiny minority within that minority actively refuse to get one. Life without interruptions and being a slave to a tiny screen is preferable, the "refuseniks" tell the New York Times, and is well worth the hassle of having to deal with pay phones and arranging meetings with friends long in advance. More»

Woman Gets PhD in Texting

Philosophy thesis is first on text message communication

(NEWSER) - A British graduate student has earned a PhD in texting—an academic first, Discover magazine reports. Caroline Tagg’s doctorate, more specifically, is in the philosophy of texting communication. Tagg studied 11,000 texts from 235 people over four years. Among the findings: The average text is 17.5 words, texters often include features of conversational spoken language like “oh,” “erm,” and “dunno" even though they add unneccessary keystrokes, and they use fewer abbreviations than you'd think. More»

The Next Big Thing: Live TV on Your Phone

Free new Spanish system could replace download services

(NEWSER) - A new way to watch TV on your phone is in the works in Spain, the Wall Street Journal reports. DVB-H technology, from a small company called Abertis Telecom, will let users tune into live broadcasts rather than pre-recorded shows. What some are calling the next big thing in cell phones has started to make its way across Europe. The best part? Watching is free, since it's pulled from broadcast signals. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Free Market Rings Up 4B Cell Phones Worldwide