The ITU’s figures also noted that consumers and businesses are paying 18 percent less for entry-level information and communication technology (ICT) services than they were two years ago.

     “With ICTs now a primary driver of social and economic development, these results are highly encouraging,” says ITU Secretary General Hamadoun Touré. “Our next challenge is to find strategies to replicate the ‘mobile miracle’ for broadband, which is fast becoming basic infrastructure. Countries without affordable broadband access risk falling quickly behind.”