The line graph compares changes in the number of people using fixed telephone lines, mobile phones, and the internet in China during 1994 and 2005, in millions. Overall, all three ways of communication showed significant growth throughout. Despite starting as the most popular form, fixed telephones became less popular than mobile phones, while internet usage increased at a slower pace over the period.
From 1994 to 2000, fixed telephones showed a clear dominance, steadily rising from 25 million to 200 million users. Meanwhile, mobile phones didn’t increase until 1996 but showed a substantial upward trend, accounting for approximately 175 million by 2000, almost narrowing the gap between fixed telephones. In comparison, internet usage emerged later, in 1997 (50 million), and climbed to only 110 million by 2000.
After 2001, the trends changed wildly. The number of fixed-line users was outnumbered by that of mobile phones shortly and continued to expand, reaching 45 million by 2005, compared with 350 million for fixed lines. Internet usage also continued to grow at a modest pace, ending the period at around 200 million – much less than the remaining two.