MDA Chairman, Mike Short, commented: 'These figures help illustrate how more people are making use of services provided by WAP, which is closely documented by the MDA. For example operators and service providers are offering invaluable services to people on the move. These include sites that can locate the nearest cash point, taxi stand or restaurants. They can provide useful services nearest to your current location, display maps and even give directions'.

The MDA continues to publish a monthly 'Top 10 Chart' of the most popular ringtones downloaded across the four UK Network Operators, with February's chart as follows:

1. Take me to The Clouds Above -  LMC vs U2  (10)
2. Hey ya! – Outkast (2)
3. Milkshake – Kelis  (5)
4. So Confused - 2Play feat. Raghav & Jucx (new entry)
5. Mysterious Girl – Peter Andre (New entry)
6. Somebody to Love  - Boogie Pimps (6)
7. I'm Still in Love - Sean Paul (8)
8. Shut Up - Black-Eyed Peas (1)
9. P.I.M.P - 50 Cent Feat. Snoop Dogg (re-entry)
10. If I Can't – 50 Cent (New entry)

(Last month's positions in brackets)

In 2003, 9.2 billion WAP pages were recorded - for the year ahead the MDA forecasts continued growth with WAP page impressions expected to reach a total of 13 billion for 2004.  The MDA will monitor the situation with a monthly statistics review  - every month the MDA will post the numbers along with a reconsidered forecast for the 2003 figures on its website www.text.it.  

The MDA's WAP initiative is supported by a web site, www.text.it, which includes information on other forms of messaging.   WAP information currently available on the site allows new users to learn more about services available to them including how and where they can configure their phones.  The site will also provide users with regularly updated top ten mobile URL's and additional mobile services; and for those developing WAP services, there is a tips and style guide section. 

~ends~

* WAP Page Impression definition as agreed by the four GSM Network operators

A WML file, or combination of WML files, sent to a valid USER as a result of that USER's request being received by the server.  In effect, one request by a valid USER should result in one WAP IMPRESSION being claimed.