Global mobile penetration:
the road to 50 per cent
August 1981
The world's first cellular network is launched
The original IBM PC, model 5150, with a 4.77 MHz Intel 8088 processor is released in the US at a base price of $1,565.
August 2000
Global mobile penetration reaches 10 per cent
In Britain, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother celebrates her centenary, making her the first member of the Royal Family to reach their 100th birthday.
July 2005
Global mobile penetration reaches 30 per cent
World number one female tennis player, Venus Williams, comes back from match point down to defeat Lindsay Davenport in the longest ever Wimbledon Ladies' final of all time. The win marks her third Wimbledon title and her first Grand Slam title since September 2001.
November 2006
Global mobile penetration reaches 40 per cent
Microsoft's flagship operating system, Windows Vista, goes on sale to bulk licence holders and OEMs. It is not released to home users until January, 2007.
November 2007
Global mobile penetration reaches 50 per cent
Apple launches its iPhone in the UK, Germany and France, following a successful launch in the US.
Google stakes its claim on the mobile space with the release of Android and the formation of the Open Handset Alliance.
