A survey released this week by research firm Ipsos Insight showed that 28 percent
of mobile phone owners worldwide have browsed the Internet on a wireless handset,
up from 25 percent at the end 2004.
This increase is due largely to participation by users above age 35, which
analysts say suggests that the technology has gone mainstream.
Japan is leading the growth, with 92 percent of mobile phone users having
browsed the Internet or downloaded e-mail at least once a month on their phone
in 2005.
About four out of 10 Japanese adults went online using their mobile phones
this year, up 50 percent from 2003. Next was Britain, where 29 percent used
mobile phones for Internet, followed by the United States and South
Korea, each with 26 percent.
However, the study reported that US and Canadian markets for online mobile
phone technology are flattening out, and pointed to the popularity of notebook
PCs using wireless technology as the main out-of-home Internet platforms.
The study predicts that the appeal of greater convenience and faster connection
speeds could lead to changes in PC and mobile phone Internet use.
"In the long term, many of today's PC-centric online activities could be
complemented through the mobile phone or migrate to the mobile phone altoghter," said
Brian Cruikshanks of Ipsos.
The study also noted that most wireless device activities increased, including
financial transactions, dowloading entertainment, and sending or receiving text
messages, e-mails, and digital pictures.
"Accessing the Internet on a wireless handheld device is no longer a novelty
for consumers in the major global economies. It's becoming a common, everyday
occurrence for many people," said Cruikshanks.
