The INFO Project Blog

The Drum Beat of the Communication Initiative highlights new data on internet use worldwide.

In 2006, the developed world had 6 times the internet user penetration of the developing world. Statistics show that the divide narrowed from 73 times more penetration 12 years earlier.

Across the developing world, cell phone use is helping to further erode the communication divide. The International Telecommunications Union recently published a report showing the importance of African cellular subscriptions, which are far outpacing landline use.

Their handy graph, below and here, shows that cellular service is expanding rapidly worldwide:

Programmers can use these new networks to reach dispersed populations. In the Philippines, South Africa and the UK, text messaging is already playing an important role in reaching HIV-positive clients, as a recent issue of Population Reports related here.