Contrary to widely held views, the lack of capital is not a major bottleneck for the development of the telecom sectors in developing countries. India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, for instance, have set up satellite outstations (which can cost less than SFr. 100,000) for the transmission of text and data.

By the end of 2001, the number of mobile subscribers in the world will be around 900 million. It will surpass the number of subscribers with fixed phones. Less than two years ago, we projected that this would happen in 2007! - Mr. Klaus Middeler, Director Operations, Ericsson Consulting GmbH 

(Reporting: Friedrich Von Kirchbach, ITC)