A mobile surge

Rafik JALALDEEN

Cellular phone usage in Sri Lanka has shown a dramatic rise. A total of over 14 million registered SIM card holders are reported to be using mobile phones, a Telecommunication Regulatory Commission spokesman said.

Over 14 million registered SIM card holders use mobile phones as a means of communication in Sri Lanka. As a developing country, it is a high figure compared with many other developing nations.

Nearly 16.8 percent use fixed land line phones. He said mobile phone users are growing in the country.

"Approximately 54.6 percent SIM card holders were reported in 2008 and this increased to 69 percent at the end of 2009," he added.

He noted that the main factor for such a growth in the mobile phone usage is the availability of hi-tech mobile phones for a cheaper price. An average income earner also can purchase a mobile phone for a lower price. Besides, used mobile phones are available cheap in the market and this encourages people to buy mobiles at an affordable cost.

He said the other reason is that mobile SIM cards can be purchased cheap in the market. Some mobile operators even offer a SIM card free adding that cellular phone usage has become a fashion among the public.

The mobile sector in Sri Lanka continued to grow at an annual rate of around 50 percent up to 2008.