| Record numbers accessing mobile internet |
29/01/07 |
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For Immediate Release : Monday 29 January 07
Conditions Of Use : MDA to be credited as source.
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| The number of mobile phone users accessing the internet on their handsets continued to grow during the last quarter of 2006. |
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According to figures announced today by the Mobile Data Association (MDA), an overall total of 45.6 million unique users were recorded as having used their phones for downloads and browsing the mobile internet in the UK throughout October, November and December last year, an average of 15 million each month. These figures show a quarterly increase in the average unique users per month from 13 to 15 million.
December 2006 boasts the highest user total to date, 15.9 million, due in part to new and improved phones being given as Christmas presents to increasingly adventurous mobile users keen to get the most from their handsets. The mobile internet can be used for recording TV shows (via sky+) and viewing TV guides which may have come in handy for people out and about over the Christmas period, as would the ability to search for restaurants, taxi firms and hotels whilst on the move.
Progressively, companies are springing up to provide more services of this type, their primary remit to enhance the user experience and offer content specifically designed to fit phone screens. This, along with the snowball effect achieved when users learn more about the capabilities of their phones and discover they can read news and sports stories on their phones whilst travelling, for example, are factors which should see these figures growing month on month throughout 2007.
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· Mobile Internet user definition as agreed by GSM Network operators (O2, T-Mobile, Vodafone and Orange) is as follows:
the number of unique customers who are accessing the internet on a mobile device via any portal at least once in the reporting month.
· The MDA plan to issue mobile internet user figures on a quarterly basis, having previously issued figures relating to the number of WAP page impressions viewed. The method for counting has been revised to give a clearer picture of how many people are accessing the service each month.
· Top 10 site information not weighted by usage – aggregate information taken from UK network operators, please visit www.text.it for further information
· Figures exclude mobile intranet for business usage (e.g. mobile e-mail)
- November 2005 marked the launch of Phase 3 of the MDA’s generic awareness campaign to promote the advantages of the mobile internet across all networks, and provide a current information service through the text.it website for both consumers and business users.
- The Mobile Data Association (MDA) was established in 1994 to increase awareness of mobile data amongst users and their advisers. The MDA acts as a focal point for its members, (vendors and users) and outside parties interested in knowing more about the industry
- The MDA announces the total number of mobile internet users on behalf of the UK GSM Network operators on a quarterly basis. Also monthly UK text messaging figures are released by the MDA during the third week of the following month.
- For further information visit the MDA website at www.themda.org or the Text It Campaign web site at www.text.it
- Mike Short, MDA Chairman is available for comment.
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For further information or to arrange an interview please contact Mark Hawkins at the MDA Press Office :
Tel: +44 (0) 7949 023795
email: mark.hawkins@themda.org
www.text.it |
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