By the end of 2012 there will be more mobile devices in use globally than people according to the new President of Europe’s largest professional society of engineers, Dr Mike Short, who took office yesterday.
Dr Mike Short
Speaking at the his inaugural address titled “Digital century – the web is your oyster” at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) yesterday evening, Dr Mike Short showed us that currently there are just under 6 billion mobile devices being used worldwide, while the estimated global population stands at around 7 billion. Dr Mike Short told us that by the end of 2012 the number of mobile devices being used worldwide will pass the 7 billion mark. He puts some of the reasons of the increase down to people having multiple devices, a personal one and one for work, or regular international visitors who have mobiles just to use in that country.
Dr Mike Short said, “Right now there are more mobile phones than toothbrushes. Unlike toothbrushes, mobile phones and devices are wonderfully inclusive and with access to the Internet they are empowering for billions of people – especially those in emerging nations who will access the internet for the first time through mobile.”
It was also revealed that there around 3 million mobile devices being sold in the UK each quarter in 2011, of which about 50% were smartphones. Additionally the global mobile advertising market is currently worth around $3.1 billion and expected to rise to $11 billion by 2015.
The IET is celebrating its 140th year as Dr Mike Short becomes the 136th President. The IET has over 150,000 members in 127 countries.
