The line graph illustrates the number of individuals using five different means of communication worldwide over a decade, starting from 1998.
Overall, all types of communication services experienced an upward trend in global usage, albeit at different rates. Notably, the number of people using cellular phone service recorded the sharpest increase.
Regarding the first year, landline service topped the list in the number of global users at around 15 per 100 inhabitants, which was approximately three times as high as the figures for cellular phone and internet users. Throughout the period, the number of landline users oscillated between 15 and 21 users per inhabitants. Meanwhile, the figure for internet saw a moderate growth during the same period, eventually reaching nearly 24 per 100 inhabitants. Notably, cellular phone usage increased significantly, surpassed the figure for landline in 2002 and held the top position for the remaining period. In 2008, this figure reached a peak of approximately 63 users per inhabitants, which exceeded the figures for internet and landline by a considerable margin.
Regarding the remaining kinds of communication services, the number of individuals using mobile and fixed broadband started at 0 per 100 inhabitants in 1998 and constant until 2002. From 2002 onwards, these figures had grown slightly, finally reaching at around 7 per 100 inhabitants. In addition, the number of individuals using fixed broadband were more than that of mobile broadband over the six-year period, starting in 2002.