21 March 2005
The number of wireless Internet users in 2004 grew by a phenomenal 29 per cent, according to research firm Ipsos-Insight.
The survey - based on interviews in 12 key global markets with 6,544 adults, including 3,304 active Internet users - show that an estimated 171 million people, or 44 per cent of Internet users in the measured markets, have accessed the Internet wirelessly.
However, it isn't the growth in laptop and Wi-Fi usage that is leading wireless Internet take-up according to Ipsos-Insight.
The number of adults who used a laptop for connecting to the Internet wirelessly was smaller compared to those who used a device like a mobile phone.
In Japan, for instance, where wireless Internet, laptop, and mobile phone prevalence is highest, twice as many adults (59 per cent) have accessed the Internet through a mobile device such as a mobile phone than have used a wireless laptop connection (28 per cent).
According to Ipsos, 2005 will be a spring board year for the wireless Internet via a mobile phone, as 3G service offers start to reach more markets and the price of the service and 3G mobile phone subsidies present an opportunity for adoption of these services among the broader populations in many markets.© DeHavilland Information Services plc
Keep up to date with industry and Nomensa news by signing up to Nomensa newsletters.
