The line graph illustrates changes in the proportion of telephone subscribers for mobile and fixed-line phones in Africa over a decade (1994–2004). The data is presented as the number of subscribers per 100 inhabitants.
Overall, there were upward trends in the subscription rates for both mobile and fixed-line phones throughout the period shown. However, mobile subscriptions experienced a dramatic increase in the second half of the period, while fixed-line subscriptions grew more steadily and at a slower pace.
In 1994, fixed-line phones were significantly more popular in Africa than mobile phones. Starting at 1.7%, the proportion of fixed-line subscribers grew steadily to nearly 3% by 2000, maintaining its position as the dominant means of phone communication. In contrast, mobile phone subscriptions were much lower, beginning at only 0.06% in 1994. However, this figure gradually increased, reaching 2% by the end of the first half of the period.
By 2001, the proportion of mobile and fixed-line subscribers had equalized at approximately 3%. After this point, the two trends diverged: the percentage of mobile subscribers surged, reaching a staggering 8.8% by 2004, while the proportion of fixed-line subscribers saw only a modest increase of 0.3%, reaching just above 3%.
Overall, there were upward trends in the subscription rates for both mobile and fixed-line phones throughout the period shown. However, mobile subscriptions experienced a dramatic increase in the second half of the period, while fixed-line subscriptions grew more steadily and at a slower pace.
In 1994, fixed-line phones were significantly more popular in Africa than mobile phones. Starting at 1.7%, the proportion of fixed-line subscribers grew steadily to nearly 3% by 2000, maintaining its position as the dominant means of phone communication. In contrast, mobile phone subscriptions were much lower, beginning at only 0.06% in 1994. However, this figure gradually increased, reaching 2% by the end of the first half of the period.
By 2001, the proportion of mobile and fixed-line subscribers had equalized at approximately 3%. After this point, the two trends diverged: the percentage of mobile subscribers surged, reaching a staggering 8.8% by 2004, while the proportion of fixed-line subscribers saw only a modest increase of 0.3%, reaching just above 3%.