By contrast, fixed broadband prices remain prohibitive, with the average entry-level service costing $190 per month in emerging regions compared to just $28 in developed countries.
As a result, fixed broadband penetration remains at only 8% globally. In emerging markets there are 4.4 subscriptions per 100 people, compared to 24.6 in developed areas.
The total number of internet users has doubled in the past five years, and is on track to reach 2 billion by the end of 2010. By this time 71% of the population of the developed world and 21% from developing nations will be online.
APAC has 21.9 internet users per 100 population, compared to 65 in Europe, 55 in the Americas and 9.6 in Africa.
ITU secretary general Hamadoun Touré said broadband was the most powerful tool in the effort to meet the Millennium Development Goals in 2015.
“Broadband is the next tipping point, the next truly transformational technology,” he said. “It can generate jobs, drive growth and productivity, and underpin long-term economic competitiveness.”