Access to telecommunication services rose on an unprecedented scale over the past two decades. This growth was driven primarily by wireless technologies and liberalization of telecommunications markets, which have enabled faster and less costly network rollout.

Over the past decade new financing and technology, along with privatization and market liberalization, have spurred dramatic growth in telecommunications in many countries. With the rapid development of mobile telephony and the global expansion of the Internet, information and communication technologies are increasingly recognized as essential tools of development, contributing to global integration and enhancing public sector effectiveness, efficiency, and transparency.
Telecommunications revenue (% GDP)
Revenues from non-telecommunications services should be excluded.
Telecommunications revenue is the revenue from the provision of telecommunications services such as fixed-line, mobile, and data.
Total (gross) telecommunication revenue is the revenue earned from all (fixed, mobile and data including Internet) operators (both network and virtual operators) offering services within the country excluding revenues from non-telecommunications services. Revenue (turnover) consists of telecommunication service earnings during the financial year under review. This should refer to actual revenues earned by retailers and not from wholesale. Revenue should not include monies received in respect of revenue earned during previous financial years, neither does it include monies received by way of loans from governments, or external investors, nor monies received from repayable subscribers' contributions or deposits. Revenues should be net of royalties. It should exclude revenues generated from traditional broadcasting.