Telenor

Telecommunications has demonstrable positive impact on economic growth. Research by the GSM Association and Deloitte shows that, in developing countries, a 10 percent increase in mobile phone penetration leads to a 1.2 percent increase in the annual growth rate of GDP. A study commissioned by Telenor indicates that the direct and indirect contribution to economic development can be greater still.

Telenor believes these positive impacts will increase over the next few years as more people use data communications services like the Internet. Mobile Internet access can be especially important for developing countries; where fixed line networks are poor, mobile broadband is the fastest way to make the Internet widely accessible. To get the best mobile networks, regulation must be fair and transparent.

Mobile communications can be a tool supporting innovative projects in areas such as health and education as well as commercial life. In short, access is no longer a luxury. Mobile communications has become both a personal necessity and a key driver of national development.