Cell phone use increasing rapidly in Afghanistan
The cell phone industry in Afghanistan (yeah, we know it sounds like a joke) is booming these days. The country has over 150,000 monthly cell phone subscribers, with that number expected to increase steadily over the next several years. The country’s economy has enjoyed record growth, making "luxury" services and commodities like cell phones a reality for many citizens of this impoverished nation. Interestingly enough, the country seems to have skipped straight to wireless communication, as the level of poverty and relative percentage of rural citizens made the installation of traditional landline service challenging, if not impossible. Cell phone companies have been moving into developing nation with the quickness as of late, and Afghanistan is no exception. The country’s 4th major cell phone company opened its doors several days ago, and the telecommunications industry employs some 50,000 Afghans. Coverage is, surprisingly, available over most of the country’s rugged and remote terrain. The big question, however, is how long until Amp’d resurrects itself in Afghanistan? Ok, low blow, we know.
Low blow indeed.
When are they getting that there applePhone?
So am I reading that right… 3 customers to every employee?
No, that is 3 customers per month to every employee. They are adding 150,000 subscribers every month.
“The cell phone industry in Afghanistan (yeah, we know it sounds like a joke) is booming these days.”
well its hard to do remote detonation from a land line. *ba dum ching*
The country’s economy has enjoyed record growth.
Read: Opium production is at a record level.
Oh come on, BGR…you’re getting lazy. You guys totally missed a great title opportunity with that photo…
“Cell phones to outnumber Goats by 2008, in Afghanistan”
is this a good thing or a bad thing.??
It’s ridiculous, Afghanistan has 4 major cell phone carriers while Canada only has 3! I bet they pay cheaper data rates than us too.
They can cover Tora Bora and we can’t cover all of New Hampshire…
Tora Bora is actually covered! I know I was stationed at a remote FOB near there called FOB Fenty Jalalabad. CRAZZZY!