Over the next three years, the number of mobile web users will triple, according to Juniper Research, rising from its current level – 577 million – to 1.7 billion by 2013, as users get online hungry for the web 2.0 applications.
According to Juniper, The Far East & China region will be the largest market with 416 million users by 2013, while take up will be slower in areas such as eastern and western Europe, where fixed broadband is more common.
Interestingly, the analysts say: “As with the fixed internet, many mobile web 2.0 applications will need to be provided at base cost/flat-data rates (or even free of charge), forcing industry players to seek new revenue streams.” I’m wondering how far the fixed internet ad-funded model for content will transfer across to the mobile web – surely mobile operators are too scared of just becoming a bit pipe to let that happen?
Mobile takeup will be slower in Western Europe because fixed broadband is more common? I'm not very sure about that & I think the network effect has been underestimated. As people become more used to using the Internet at high speed and more things (from shopping to socialising) are done online, they will come to expect to be able to do it on the move as well as at home more.
Mobile takeup will be slower in Western Europe because fixed broadband is more common? I'm not very sure about that & I think the network effect has been underestimated. As people become more used to using the Internet at high speed and more things (from shopping to socialising) are done online, they will come to expect to be able to do it on the move as well as at home more.
Mobile takeup will be slower in Western Europe because fixed broadband is more common? I'm not very sure about that & I think the network effect has been underestimated. As people become more used to using the Internet at high speed and more things (from shopping to socialising) are done online, they will come to expect to be able to do it on the move as well as at home more.