In areas of the world where the basic infrastructure such as roads, communication networks etc, is either non-existent or has been damaged by conflict mobile phones have had a direct impact on development - both economic and social.

By 2010, the GSMA projects that 90% of the world will be covered by mobile networks and mobile communication will deliver data, internet and voice services to more than 5 billion people by 2015.

Consequently there is major investment in the construction of network capability in these zones which involves the movement and relocation of specialist skilled staff. These countries may well be on Forbes magazine's list of the world's most dangerous countries.