Connect with us

News

Total Number of Mobile Phone Users Hit Nearly 5.3B in July, 67% of the World`s Population

Published

on

Apple

Although the COVID-19 caused the worst smartphone market contraction in history, the total number of mobile phone users continues growing with no signs of stopping any time soon.

According to data presented by StockApps.com, the number of people using mobile phones hit nearly 5.3 billion in July, or 67% of the world’s population.

Europe the Leading Region with 86% of Population Using Mobile Phones

Mobile phones and smartphones have completely changed the way we communicate, offering people much easier access to the web and making online business more accessible for everyone. These conveniences had been driving impressive user growth.

The Hootsuite and We Are Social Digital 2021 report showed more than 117 million people started using mobile phones in the last year, with the total number of users rising by 2.3% in this period.

The figures are even higher when considering the overall number of cellular connections. Between July 2020 and July 2021, around 670 million people started using some kind of cellular connection, including IoT, with the total number rising to 10.4 billion globally.

Analyzed by regions, Europe has by far the highest number of citizens using mobile phones. Last year, 86% of Europeans had a mobile phone. By 2025, the penetration rate in the European market is expected to rise to 87%.

North America ranked as the second-leading region, with around 85% of citizens who use mobile phones. The Asia Pacific follows with a 58% penetration rate in 2020. However, this figure does not include China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. The Greater China, where China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan are demonstrated, had an 83% subscription rate last year. In the next four years, the mobile phone penetration rate in this region is forecast to jump to 85%.

Mobile Data Traffic Surged by 68% YoY; Android Devices Account for 73% of Total Traffic

The Hootsuite data confirmed the majority of people use smartphones to access mobile networks and mobile internet. As of July, smartphones accounted for 6.4 billion or 79% of all mobile connections globally. On the other hand, routers, tablets, portable PCs had only a 3.8% market share with 310 million devices.

The impressive growth in the number of smartphone users has been followed by a surge in mobile data traffic. In the first quarter of 2019, the monthly average global mobile data traffic, including uploads and downloads, amounted to around 29 exabytes or billions of gigabytes. Over the next twelve months, this figure almost doubled to 45.16 billion. Statistics show the global average monthly mobile data traffic hit 66 exabytes in the first quarter of 2021, a massive 68% increase year-over-year.

Android devices accounted for almost 73% of total data traffic, 1.8% less compared to a year-ago period. IoS devices followed with a 26.3% market share.

The survey also revealed significant differences in mobile data cost per country. For example, as of July, Greece ranked as the most expensive country globally with a cost of $8.16 per 1GB of mobile data, more than double the global average of $4.07. The United Arab Emirates, New Zealand, and Canada followed, with $7.62, $6.99, and $5.72, respectively.

Israel, Italy, and Russia were on the other side of the list with an average mobile data cost of $0.05, $0.27, and $0.29. Statistics show developed economies like the United States and the United Kingdom also ranked below the global average, with a cost of $3.33 and $1.42 per 1GB of mobile data, respectively.

Continue Reading
Comments

Travel

Delta Air Lines Flight Diverts to Togo After Passenger Dies Midair

Published

on

Delta Air Lines

A Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta to Lagos was diverted to Togo following the midair death of a yet-to-be-identified passenger.

The unfortunate incident occurred approximately three hours before the flight’s scheduled arrival in Lagos, prompting the crew to address a health emergency onboard.

Despite initial intentions to proceed to Lagos, adverse weather conditions, including heavy thunderstorms, forced the pilots to divert the plane to Lome, Togo.

The flight, Delta Air Lines’ A330-200 aircraft, was carrying 215 passengers at the time. Upon landing in Lome, the aircraft underwent refueling procedures and awaited clearance amidst the inclement weather.

Subsequently, after an additional delay in Togo, the flight resumed its journey and safely landed in Lagos, albeit approximately eight and a half hours behind schedule.

Passengers onboard expressed their concerns and frustrations, particularly regarding the handling of the medical emergency and the subsequent diversion.

Social media platforms buzzed with accounts of the ordeal, with one passenger recounting the unfortunate sequence of events, including the midair death and the necessity of an emergency landing due to fuel depletion.

Meanwhile, an airplane operated by Dana Airline veered off the runway at Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

The affected MD-83 aircraft, registration 5N-BKI, carried 83 passengers. Dana Air spokesman Mr. Kingsley Ezenwa confirmed all passengers and crew disembarked safely without injuries.

Ezenwa, in a statement, said: “Dana Air regrets to inform the public of a runway incursion involving one of our aircraft, registration number 5N BKI, which was flying from Abuja to Lagos today, 23/04/24.

“We are relieved to confirm that all 83 passengers and crew onboard the flight disembarked safely without injuries or scare as the crew handled the situation with utmost professionalism.

“We have also updated the Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on the incident, and the aircraft involved has been grounded by our maintenance team for further investigation.

“We wish to thank the airport authorities, our crew for their very swift response in ensuring the safe disembarkation of all passengers following the incident, and our sincere apologies and appreciation to the passengers on the affected flight for their patience and understanding.”

Continue Reading

News

ARISE News Channel Goes Global: Launches in Nine Southern African Countries

Published

on

Arise News

ARISE News Channel, a prominent Nigerian cable news network, has reached another significant milestone in its journey to become a global media powerhouse.

The channel has officially gone live in nine Southern African countries, including South Africa, Angola, and Botswana.

This expansion was made possible through a partnership with Multichoice/DSTV, with ARISE News Channel now available on Channel 416.

Alongside South Africa, Angola, and Botswana, the channel is now accessible to viewers in Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

In a statement released by the Chief of Staff to Chairman/Editor-in-Chief of ARISE News Channel, Fauziya Ali Mohammed, it was revealed that the channel’s presence now spans 54 African countries.

Mohammed explained that ARISE News Channel is committed to delivering high-quality news coverage across the continent, showcasing various facets of African life, including business, politics, technology, commerce, science, sports, show business, and fashion.

ARISE News Channel, which celebrated its 11th anniversary earlier this year, has earned acclaim for its Emmy-winning programming.

It has become a leading broadcaster in Africa, offering audiences a diverse range of content while projecting the best of Africa’s culture and people to the world.

Chairman/Editor-in-Chief of ARISE News Channel, Nduka Obaigbena, expressed his excitement about the channel’s expansion into Southern Africa, emphasizing its commitment to promoting African narratives globally.

Obaigbena highlighted ARISE News Channel’s dedication to showcasing the continent’s potential and celebrating its achievements on the global stage.

The channel operates around the clock from studios located in Lagos, Abuja, Johannesburg, Cape Town, London, and New York.

Its coverage extends beyond traditional broadcasting platforms, reaching viewers across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and the United States through various channels and streaming services.

With its latest expansion into Southern Africa, ARISE News Channel continues to solidify its position as a leading voice in African media, shaping narratives and fostering dialogue on issues of regional and global significance.

As the channel continues to grow its global footprint, it remains dedicated to providing audiences with insightful and impactful journalism that reflects the dynamism and diversity of the African continent.

Continue Reading

Travel

Air Peace Flight Delayed, Passengers Stranded After Failed Promise of Hotel Stay

Published

on

Passengers aboard an Air Peace flight from Abuja to Owerri found themselves in a state of disarray and frustration after a series of delays and unmet promises left them stranded without accommodations.

What was supposed to be a routine flight scheduled to depart Abuja at 4:30 PM and arrive in Owerri at 5:30 PM turned into a nightmare as the flight was delayed until 6:18 PM due to a reported lack of a pilot.

However, midway through the journey, passengers were informed that the flight couldn’t proceed to Owerri because the airport there would close by 6:40 PM.

The flight was forced to return to Abuja, where passengers endured further uncertainty as they waited for over 20 minutes to receive any communication from the airline. Eventually, they were informed of plans to provide a bus to transport them to a hotel for accommodation.

However, this promise was not fulfilled, leaving passengers stranded and scattered around the airport.

One passenger, who had already experienced delays with another airline earlier in the day, expressed frustration at the lack of accountability and protection for travelers.

The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by passengers in Nigeria’s domestic aviation sector and raises questions about the adequacy of regulations to safeguard passengers’ rights.

Attempts to reach Air Peace for comment on the situation were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.

Continue Reading
Advertisement




Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending