Ten Facts about Mobile Broadband

Mobile broadband is reshaping society, communications, and the global economy.

With smart phone usage surpassing that of personal computers, there has been a sea change in the way consumers access and share information. Powerful mobile devices and sophisticated digital applications enable users to build businesses, access financial and health care records, conduct research, and complete transactions anywhere. This revolution in how consumers and businesses access information represents a fundamental turning point in human history. For the first time, people are able to reach the Internet in a relatively inexpensive and convenient manner. Regardless of geographic location, they can use mobile broadband for communications, education, health care, public safety, disaster preparedness, and economic development.

In this report, I review ten facts about mobile broadband. I show how the mobile economy is reshaping the global landscape. Both in developed and emerging markets, there are major opportunities to create jobs, and create social and economic connections. With the mobile industry generating $1.3 trillion in revenues, it is important to understand how telephony is affecting the way people relate to one another.

1. Smartphones Will Outnumber Personal Computers in 2012
2. Mobile Broadband Is Growing Much Faster than Fixed Broadband
3. More Than One-Third of Americans Own Smartphones and Use Them for a Wide Range of Services
4. Mobile Technology Has Gone Global
5. The Mobile Economy Is Creating Jobs and Driving Development in the United States and Around the World
6. Mobile Applications Are Reshaping Education
7. Mobile Helps Patients and Health Care Providers
8. Mobile Alters the Way People Engage Politically
9. Mobile Empowers Entrepreneurs and Overcomes Digital Disparities
10. Mobile Is Vital to Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness