Mobile worker population to top one billion: IDC study
20 Feb 2010
The number of people on the planet using mobile technologies at work should top one billion before the end of the year, according to research firm IDC. According to the firm's analysts, this figure should also represent roughly one third of the total global workforce.
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In its study, 'Worldwide Mobile Worker Population, 2009-2013,' IDC forecasts that the US will remain in the lead globally with 75.5 per cent, or 119.7 million workers, mobile by 2013. This will be up from 72.2% of all workers in 2008.
"Outside the United States and Japan, where mobile worker population penetration has essentially peaked, there are large worker populations that are still growing," said IDC research analyst Sean Ryan.
"Underserved mobile workers across all regions stand to benefit from the reach and flexibility offered by mobile solutions."
Among the fastest-growing regions, according to IDC, are the Asia-Pacific region, which it says could represent 62 per cent of all global workers by 2013. The numbers are expected to receive a boost from strong economic recovery and new found interest in unified communications, the report said.