5. Mobile Use

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Mobile. Sourxes:ComReg - 2005, Eurostat yearbook - 2005

Two per cent of the Irish population now have more than one mobile phone connection. With a penetration rate of 102%, the ubiquitous mobile is the online application of choice for Irish people.

But we’re still playing catch up on some of our European neighbours. The last time there was a pan-European comparison Ireland came in at 94%. Luxembourg led the league table with 142% market penetration, followed by Sweden at 109% and the Czech Republic at 106%.

We haven’t seen many Irish babies with mobile phones – yet. So what’s the explanation for so many mobiles? The answer is that what’s being measured is subscribers to mobile networks and some people have double and treble subscriptions.

As for Luxembourg, its high ratings have to do with the sophistication of its telephone market.

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