MOBILE INTERNET USAGE ON THE RISE

The number of subscribers accessing the internet via
mobile phones is continuing to grow. According to
figures announced today by the Mobile Data Association
(MDA), a total of 13.2 million people used their
phones for downloads and browsing the mobile internet
in the UK during July 2006, in line with an upward
global trend.

Accordingly, the MDA have looked at what sites
consumers are visiting and have compiled a top 10 of
the types of pages most accessed across the UK via a
mobile device during July:

1. Google
2. Chat sites (including operator sites)
3. WAP Directories (eg Twilightwap)
4. Other search sites (eg Yahoo)
5. BBC
6. Games/Wallpapers/Ringtones
7. Mobile entertainment sites (eg celebrity news
information)
8. MSN
9. Mobile communities/blogging (eg Jumbuck)
10. Shopping sites (eg Ebay)

Predictably, users appear to be accessing mobile
versions of the most popular internet sites, but with
a growing number of ‘mobile community’ websites
appearing for use on mobile handsets, where users can
create their own web pages for example, the UK’s
increasing passion for blogging and sharing
information looks set to be indulged further via the
mobile internet.

For information on how to set up your phone to use the
mobile internet and for a list of sites to visit on
your handset, please visit:
http://www.text.it/mobileweb/tips.cfm

~ends~

Notes to Editors –
WAP user definition as agreed by four 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 monthly 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.
Figures exclude mobile intranet for business usage (eg
mobile e-mail)

About the Mobile Data Association and www.text.it -

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
monthly basis. These figures are announced during the
fourth week of the following month. Also 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.