by Playfuls Staff |
16th November 2006
Broadband internet is now as vital as water and electricity for economic growth, according to the latest technology report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and [more] Development.
Broadband is so essential it is "reaching the status of a utility" but it is also creating a new gulf between rich and poor countries the Information Economy Report 2006 said.
Broadband subscriptions rose 15 per cent among the world's industrialized nations in the last half of 2005, reaching 158 million.
Business broadband connectivity grew significantly, particularly in the European Union, where it jumped from 53 per cent in 2004 to 63 per cent in 2005.
However, in some developing countries broadband penetration rates were as low as 1 per cent. The highest penetration was in Asia, where South Korea was in the lead with 25.5 per cent. China had the greatest number of subscribers but penetration remained low at 2.9 per cent.
The report said it was essential for developing countries to improve broadband access to increase competitiveness and productivity or risk losing out on significant growth.
Wireless technology and satellites offered cheaper ways to overcome poor infrastructure in remote, rural areas.
Mobile phones were the only technology in which developing countries surpassed developed countries with 1.2 billion users, compared with 800 million.
© 2006 DPA
