Conversely, mobile ownership is high, and has been growing fast. Sixty-one percent of the population aged 15 to 65 owned mobile phones, of which 78% were smartphones. Forty-nine percent of mobile owners in Myanmar used data services. Data usage was approximately 30% higher in urban areas than rural areas. The difference was less stark amongst male and female mobile owners (Figure 58). 100% 80% 43 44 49 53 51 57 56 51 47 49 Urban Rural Male 60% 40% 20% 0% Female Myanmar Average Uses mobile data Does not use mobile data Figure 58: Internet access from mobile phone (% of mobile owners aged 15-65) 4.2 Uses of mobile phones Although mobile phones were used primarily for network calls, missed calls and text messages, a substantial amount of activities that necessitated the use of the Internet were also used. While phones were rarely used to access online government services and mobile money and banking services, social activities such as chatting/instant messaging, accessing Facebook, making Internet calls and sharing pictures were popular (Figure 59). 66 ICTs in Myanmar: 2016