Online Search in Developing Countries

I think that there is a great potential for growth in the internet search market in the developing countries since many of these countries still do not have the IT infrastructure that is needed to connect people to the web.  In this regard I believe that Southeast Asia, where one third of the world population lives, is a great opportunity for growth. For instance in countries such as Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and many other neighboring countries most of the homes are not internet connected, hence I believe that there would be an explosion of technology growth in this region within the next decade or so.

However, most of the growth will be in the mobile communication since it is easier to create mobile infrastructure than to create the traditional land based internet connectivity.  So, these countries would bypass the traditional internet connectivity and directly jump into mobile/cellular technology.  Also World Bank report shows that access to a cell phone for a person in a developing country creates way more economic value to the person and to the country in the developing nations than it does for a person in developed countries.  Also access to mobile/cellular communication creates tremendous economic activities in developing countries, an opportunity for search engine providers to tap into this new market.