Globalisation

The use of these technologies

But not only the presence of technology, but also its use is essential for global interdependence.

• Do you know of people around you, who have no cell phone and no internet? If so, how many?
• How often do you use the car, travel by train or by plane?
• Do you often travel abroad?
• How much time do you spend on the Internet per day?
• Do you watch TV and listen to radio often?
• Think of their parents or grandparents. How are/were they in this respect?

Air and port traffic, along with the number of mobile phone owners and Internet users have multiplied in recent years. A few years ago, there were still very large differences between developed and developing countries in terms of the use of communications and transportation technologies. In 2005, for example, 44.7% of all households in developed countries had private Internet access, in developing countries it was 8.1%. Although there is still a difference in distribution, there has been rapid progress, especially in the use of communication technologies. In particular, the mobile phone has played a special role in many developing countries and is used for cashless payment transactions or surfing the internet. The following graphics illustrate the situation.

Global internet users in 2012 in relation to population

Number of mobile telephone users per 100 inhabitants

* Estimated values

Sources

http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm
ITU Key Global Telecom Indicator 2011
Nuscheler, Franz (2004): Entwicklungspolitik. Bonn: Dietz