GECs
80% people globally have TV access
NEW DELHI: Almost 80 per cent of households globally had access to television at the beginning of 2013, compared to 41 per cent of households with a computer and 37 per cent with internet access.
The report shows that the number of households with internet access is increasing in all regions, but large differences persist, with penetration rates at the end of this year set to reach almost 80 per cent in the developed world, compared with 28 per cent in the developing world.
An estimated 1.1 billion households worldwide are not yet connected to the internet, 90 per cent of which are in the developing world, according to the International Telegraphic Union’s flagship annual report Measuring the Information Society 2013.
Internet users as a percentage of the population have been growing on average at double-digit rates over the past ten years. The percentage of the population online in the developed world will reach almost 77 per cent by end 2013, compared with 31 per cent in the developing world.
Mobile broadband connections over 3G and 3G+ networks are growing at an average annual rate of 40 per cent, equating to 2.1 billion mobile-broadband subscriptions and a global penetration rate of almost 30 per cent.
Almost 50 per cent of all people worldwide are now covered by a 3G network, the report said.
By end of 2013 there will be 6.8 billion total mobile-cellular subscriptions – almost as many as there are people on the planet.
An estimated 2.7 billion people will also be connected to the internet – though speeds and prices vary widely, both across and within regions.
The Republic of Korea leads the world in terms of overall ICT development for the third consecutive year, followed closely by Sweden, Iceland, Denmark, Finland and Norway. The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Luxembourg and Hong Kong (China) also rank in the top 10, with the United Kingdom at the 11th position last year.
The report identifies a group of most dynamic countries, which have recorded above-average improvements in their IDI rank or value over the past 12 months. These include (in order of most improved): United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Barbados, Seychelles, Belarus, Costa Rica, Mongolia, Zambia, Australia, Bangladesh, Oman and Zimbabwe.
In the four years between 2008-2012 fixed-broadband prices fell by 82 per cent from 115.1 per cent of average monthly income per capita (GNI p.c.) in 2008 to 22.1 per cent in 2012.
The biggest drop occurred in developing countries, where fixed-broadband prices fell by 30 per cent year on year between 2008 and 2011.
The average price per unit of speed (Mbps) also decreased significantly between 2008 and 2012, with a global median price of $19.50 per Mbps in 2012, almost a quarter of the price that was being charged in 2008.
Austria has the world’s most affordable mobile broadband, while Sao Tomé and Principe, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have the least affordable, with service cost equal to or higher than average monthly gross national income (GNI) per capita. Other countries that rank well for mobile broadband affordability include Qatar, the United Kingdom, Germany, Kuwait and France.
GECs
&TV brings Women’s Day shine to Lucknow mall
Shilpa Shinde joins “Selfie Lo. Shine Karo. Star Ban Jaao!” activation on 8 March.
MUMBAI: This Women’s Day, &TV is handing women the mirror and the spotlight because sometimes the best reflection is the one that finally says “star”. &TV is taking its celebration of strong, confident women off-screen with a lively on-ground initiative at a prominent mall in Lucknow on 7–8 March 2026. The activation, titled “Selfie Lo. Shine Karo. Star Ban Jaao!”, invites women to click empowering selfies at a specially designed mirror installation framed with a symbolic crown and bold messages such as Women & Confident, Women & Boss, Women & Independent, and Women & Carefree. The crown carries the core emotion, “She is her own hero. Her own cheerleader. Her own power.”
Adding star power to the event, beloved actress Shilpa Shinde (popularly known as Angoori Bhabi from Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain! 2.0) will attend on 8 March, interacting with participants. Select women will get the chance to meet her, and one lucky winner will be featured in an upcoming episode on &TV turning a simple selfie into a real on-screen star moment.
The initiative is rooted in the belief that women often celebrate others but rarely pause to acknowledge themselves. By creating a joyful space for self-recognition and confidence, &TV is extending its on-air narratives of empowered women into real life.
Shilpa Shinde said, “I truly believe confidence begins with how we see ourselves. I am very happy that &TV is creating a platform where women are not just celebrated but also given a chance to be seen and recognised.”
&TV chief channel officer and Zee5, business head for hindi Kaveri Das added, “At &TV, we don’t just tell stories of strong women, we actively create platforms for them. This Women’s Day initiative is our way of moving beyond celebration and enabling real visibility.”
In a world quick to spotlight others, &TV is flipping the script reminding every woman that the most powerful story she can star in is her own, one confident selfie at a time.
