The contribution of mobile phones to the UK economy

The first in a series commissioned by O2, the report shows how the mobile phone sector now contributes as much to GDP as the total oil and gas extraction industry. According to research by the Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBR), mobile contributed �22.9bn to UK GDP in 2003, 2.3% of total GDP.

The CEBR report represents the first such analysis since a NERA study five years ago - during which time the UK mobile industry has changed beyond recognition in terms of market penetration, the way that people use their mobiles and the sector's importance to the economy.

According to Peter Erskine, mmO2 CEO "The mobile phone industry in the UK has grown, in just 20 years, from zero to something bigger than the whole of the print, paper and publishing sector."

The mobile sector is also a significant employer, with network operators, retail outlets, and suppliers to the sector employing nearly 200,000 people.