So says a United Nations report published Monday. The report's findings suggest that mobile phones are the communications tool of choice in poor countries.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) reports an estimated 4.1 billion cell-phone subscriptions at the end of 2008. That compares to about one billion just six years ago. Fixed-line subscriptions grew by only one billion since 2002.

Africa leads the way for developing nations' cell-phone use, with 25 percent of the population toting the devices.

"There has been a clear shift to mobile cellular technology," the ITU said in its report. It noted that less than half of mobile subscriptions around the world were in developing nations in 2002.

Faster Access

In other findings, Internet use has more than doubled. The ITU figures about 23 percent of people globally used the Internet in 2008. That's up 11 percent from 2002. However, despite the double-digit progress, poor countries are still behind on Internet access and adoption. Only one in 20 people in Africa logged onto the Internet in 2007, according to the most recent figures available.

While some citizens of the planet have yet to sign onto the Internet, more of those who do are using faster speeds. The ITU reports that fixed-broadband use increased to almost 20 percent in richer countries. Still, the statistics for poorer countries reflect the overall Internet usage trend. Broadband Internet access at home is available to only one in 20 people worldwide.

Mobile broadband subscriptions are climbing the fastest. Mobile broadband technology lets people all over the world log onto the Internet at high speeds. That service is available to three percent of the Earth's population, 14 percent in developed countries.

Moving Toward a Cashless Society

The global growth is a boon for handset manufacturers long-term. Although most consumers in developing nations like Africa are not going to invest in iPhones and BlackBerries, the cost of building phones is coming down, making it possible to offer feature phones in developing nations at a profit.

Some of these countries are starting to use mobile phones for micropayments, according to Mike Disabato, a senior analyst at the Burton Group. Rather than someone in a village in Africa carrying around coins and bills that are subject to theft, he says, they are carrying a mobile phone that transfers digital money back and forth. (continued...)

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