The bar chart compares landline ownership across nine countries from 2000 to 2004, measured as the number of phones per 1,000 people.
Overall, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam had the highest ownership rates, despite showing slight downward trends. In contrast, the remaining seven countries started with much lower figures but generally saw an increase in landline penetration over the five-year period.
Singapore led the group with 460 phones per 1,000 people in 2000, though this fell to 430 by 2004. Brunei Darussalam followed as the only other nation above the 200-mark, remaining stable at approximately 250 throughout the period. These two countries maintained a massive lead, with figures at least five times higher than most other nations in the chart.
In the other countries, ownership levels were significantly lower but showed more growth. Thailand’s figures rose from 80 to nearly 100, while Vietnam and Cambodia saw the most notable progress, with Vietnam’s rate doubling from 25 to 50 and Cambodia’s rising from 20 to 50. Conversely, Lao PDR and Myanmar remained at the bottom, both staying below 20 phones per 1,000 residents by 2004.