Internet vs Mobile Device in Emerging Countries

Interesting Nielsen report on the relative use and growth of the internet and cell phone.

One of the key points: “Instead of a $20,000 threshold [GDP which is the 50% threshold for internet connectivity], in many countries mobile phone penetration exceeds 50% with a per capita GDP as low as $5,000. In middle income countries such as Russia and Saudi Arabia, mobile phone penetration rates are even higher than those of more advanced economies such as the U.S. and Canada because mobile is an affordable, accessible alternative to the Internet. Altogether, the analysis on every dimension suggests that mobile communication is a truly disruptive phenomenon, acting on a global scale.”

From Venkatsh Bala, "Going Global Means Going Mobile in Emerging Markets," NielsenWire, April 17, 2010