Taiwan ranked first in the world in terms of mobile-phone subscription in 2003, with nearly 111 subscribers per 100 people, according to a study released yesterday.
The report by the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) said that the figure represents an increase of 14 subscribers from that of 2001.
The report studied 12 countries, including Taiwan, China, Japan, South Korea, France and Germany.
According to the report, Switzerland and Denmark followed behind Taiwan in mobile-phone subscriptions with 88.9 subscribers per 100 people and 88.7, respectively.
China had about 21 mobile phone subscribers per 100 people in 2003, about 10 more than 2001 while the US had about 54 subscribers per 100 people in 2003, about nine more than 2001. Japan had about 68 subscribers per 100 people in 2003, about nine more than 2001 while South Korea had about 69 subscribers per 100 people in 2003, about seven more than 2001.
The study also surveyed the penetration of home phones. Switzerland led the way, with nearly 74 home phone subscribers per 100 people in 2003, followed by Denmark (about 67 per 100 people) and Germany (about 66 per 100 people).
Taiwan had 59 home phone subscribers per 100 people in 2003, or 1.7 more subscribers than 2001.
The DGBAS also looked at the popularity of computers and found that the US, Switzerland and Singapore had more than 60 personal computers per 100 people in 2003.
Taiwan had about 38 personal computers per 100 people, or about seven more than that of 2001 while China had about three personal computers per 100 people.
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