With cellular connections more widely available in the Maghreb and other parts of Africa than either internet or landline connections, one hope for today's cell phones is that they can become catalysts for development in third-world countries.
Cell phones provide phone and email access in the absence of other connections. The cost to own and use one is low, unless of course the user pays roaming charges, or charges for texting. Texting uses the signalling channel of the cellphone connection, but nevertheless can run up a cost of about 7 to 10 cents per message sent. Literacy is another issue.
Mobile Phone Market Penetration
Seventy percent of the world uses cell phones, with about twice as many cell phone users as internet users. Teens and young adults make up a quarter of the market according to Yankee Group, a Boston-based research firm, quoted in the Washington Post. In Africa, where penetration has lagged, some countries nevertheless have now reached the 75% mobile penetration rate, although in rural areas the high market penetration is generally accomplished through phone sharing. Overall mobile penetration in Africa is estimated at around 50%, with South Africa topping the charts at 98%.
