The line graph illustrates the number of people per 100 inhabitants who utilized five different communication services worldwide over a decade from 1998 to 2008
Overall, while most services showed an upward trend, their growth rates varied significantly. Notably, cellular phone service experienced the most dramatic increase, surpassing all other services by 2008. In contrast, landline service saw only minimal growth and even a slight decline towards the end of the period. Fixed broadband and mobile broadband were introduced later, around 2004, and showed modest growth thereafter.
In 1998, landline service was the most widely used, with 14 users per 100 inhabitants, followed by cellular phone and internet services at 5 and 4 users respectively. Over the next decade, cellular phone service saw the most rapid growth, increasing from 12 users in 2000 to 63 users in 2008, surpassing landline service around 2002. In contrast, landline service growth was minimal, rising from 14 to 19 users between 1998 and 2006, before slightly declining to 18 users in 2008. Internet service usage also increased steadily, reaching 23 users per 100 inhabitants by 2008, but remained significantly behind cellular phone service.
Fixed broadband and mobile broadband services were introduced later, with fixed broadband first appearing in 2004 at 2 users per 100 inhabitants, and mobile broadband following in 2006 at 2 users. Despite their late entry, both services showed steady growth, reaching 6 and 5 users respectively by 2008. However, their adoption rates remained significantly lower than those of cellular phone and internet services throughout the period.