About 3.2 billion people across the world are estimated to have access to internet in 2016.The figure represents about 44 per cent of the world’s population.
In the latest report released by the International Data Corporation (IDC), more than 3 billion of this number will be using mobile devices to access internet services.
The report looked at the global internet population, how the World uses the internet, what the world internet users will be doing online in the coming year and some of their online activities.
The study showed that growth in internet access is taking place across the world, but noted that some countries are seeing more rapid growth.
For instance, China, India, and Indonesia emerged as the leading nations in the mobile internet access and are tipped to account for almost half of the gains in access globally over the course of the next five years.
It was indicated that the combination of lower-cost devices and inexpensive wireless networks major factors that are making accessibility easier in countries with populations that could not previously afford them.
Consequently, the total number of mobile internet users is forecast to rise at a pace of 2 per cent annually through 2020, unless significant new methods of accessing the internet are introduced into the market.
The study also reveals that efforts are being made by Google, SpaceX, and Facebook among others to make the Internet available to the remaining 4 billion people via high altitude planes, balloons, and satellites.
However, it says it still remains unclear how successful these endeavours will be and when they will be operational at scale.
The Program Director, Strategic Advisory Service at IDC, Scott Strawn , said:”Over the next five years global growth in the number of people accessing the internet exclusively through mobile devices will grow by more than 25 per cent per year, while the amount of time we spend on them continues to grow. This change in the way we access the internet is fueling explosive growth in mobile commerce and mobile advertising.”
‘’Measuring what internet users are doing online shows that many activities are enjoyed by billions of people. For example, more than a billion people use the Internet to bank online, to stream music, and to find a job.
‘’More than two billion use email and read news online. And more people than ever before are making purchases online.
‘’In 2015, more than $100 billion was spent online on each of the following categories: travel, books, CDs and DVDs, downloading apps, and online classes.
These purchases are enabled by online payment platforms that are making payments, on and offline easier and more secure,’’ he added.
