In 2013 mobile phone subscriptions reached 6.8 billion globally; now, for the first time, there are almost as many mobile phones as there are people in the world. Last year around 2.7 billion people were online, a figure predicted to rise exponentially due to the rapid growth in popularity of mobile internet connected devices.
In some developing countries, the cost of fixed broadband equates to more than 60 per cent of gross national income (GNI) and, although cheaper, mobile broadband can reach around 25 per cent of GNI. Internet use in these regions accounts for only 31 per cent of the global total.
In places where cost and logistical difficulties have proved a barrier to learning, many governments and agencies have been eager to exploit the potential of mobile phones to address the challenges of delivering education. Canada’s Algonquin College has developed a programme that allows students to continue learning off campus using mobile devices, substantially extending learning time. In Nigeria, the English Teacher project provides teaching strategies and practice modules for primary school teachers, which can be accessed quickly and easily using mobile phones. And in India, Barefoot College uses mobile phones to support its training, which has enabled thousands of women to develop practical skills for sustainability.
