Understanding the rapid growth of mobile devices

We all think we understand the rapid booming of the cellphone industry. After all, 10 years ago, few of us had mobile phones; now, it seems everyone does. But understanding the exponential growth of the mobile community is more complicated that than.

Consider this: More than 70% of the global population now own a mobile phone (or phones). 70%! People who live in communities without running water have mobile phones. Teenagers own phones. Children own phones. I think I even remember reading that there are more children in the world who have mobile phones than there are children who have books.

Seriously.

But does knowing that mean you understand the mobile boom? I doubt it. Luckily, a number of organizations have begun producing infographics that I think will make the boom clearer than any simple statistic ever could.