Mobile Internet access picking up

Mobile Internet access picking up

NEW YORK - The annual Face of the Web study by Ipsos Insight has found that although the PC remains the dominant tool to access the Internet, mobile phone access is gaining by leaps and bounds and could soon be the main method of accessing the Internet.

Internet browsing via a wireless device has virtually outpaced PC access in many countries like France and the U.K. The report adds that Japan is also showing robust growth in this area, where four in ten adults do their browsing through a wireless device.

Ipsos Insight's 2005 study also shows that 90 percent of the households in Japan, China and South Korea own a mobile phone, as do 80 percent of the households in Western Europe. Out of these 28 percent accessed the Web through their mobile phones last year. "This older age group is really starting to explore more on their cell phone and getting comfortable. Whether it's text messaging, e-mailing or Internet browsing, our research has found that they are using their cell phones for more than just voice calling," Adam Wright of Ipsos Insight was quoted as telling CNET News.com.

Most of those who accessed Internet through their mobiles belong to the age group of over 35 years. 27 percent of adults in this group are browsing through their mobiles, while 12 percent of the 55 and older group is doing the same. France and the U.S. showed the largest number of mobile Internet access users, while Japan was close behind. The study also found that in 10 out of 12 global markets, 90 percent of those who accessed the Web in the past month used their cell phones to do so. "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 Brian Cruikshank of Ipsos.

For the full press release, visit http://www.ipsos-na.com/news/pressrelease.cfm?id=3049