Q2 2008 Statistical findings
The MDA reports are unique as they report historical user data, not estimates or predictions, the figures are aggregated from all UK mobile operators.
The report highlights three key areas of mobile data usage:
1. Text messaging (SMS)
2. Picture and Video messaging (MMS)
3. Mobile Internet (MI)
Text Messaging (SMS)
Headline: The British love affair with texting continues
Number of person to person text messages sent in the UK:
Per month 6,467,070,000
Per week 1,492,400,769
Per day 212,616,000
Key facts:
25% Growth Quarter on Quarter (Q4 2007-Q2 2008)
30% Growth Year on Year (May 2007 to May 2008)
The growth of text messaging continues to defy expectation. The growth curve is set to continue as new devices promote messaging applications at the centre of their functionality. 1.4 billion text messages are now sent every week in the UK alone.
Picture and Video messaging (MMS)
Headline: Wish you were here, say it with your mobile this summer
Number of person to person MMS messages sent in the UK:
Per month – 46,516,405 (During May 2008)
Per week – 10,734,555
Per day – 1,529,306
Key facts:
MMS has seen a 30% year on year growth
10 million picture messages sent every week in the UK
Mobile Internet (MI)
Figures relate to number of unique visitors accessing the Internet from their mobile phone during the stated period:
Number of Mobile Internet users
May 2006 – 13,140,000.00
May 2008 – 16,425,000.00
Average number of new users per month 136,875 (between May 06 and May 08)
Per week – 31,587
Per day – 4,500
Key facts:
Mobile Internet usage has grown 25% in the past two years.
Steve Reynolds, Chairman of the Mobile Data Association comments: “There remain a number of challenges that mobile operators need to address to accelerate the growth of Mobile Internet. The MDA is calling for greater price transparency on the costs associated with using the Mobile Internet. The findings of this report suggest a real consumer appetite, but confusion and fear over costs may be holding back growth.
What we think?
I am happy that the use of the Mobile Internet is growing. But 25% over 2 years does sound slow. I mean even MMS is growing at 30% per year. Looking at these and the article I posted before this – I can only say is that use is not matching expectation. Something needs to change and I don’t think it is the number of sites or browser issues. I think it is the ability for users to find sites – knowing that it is not going to cost them a fortune and viewing them with a seamless mobile experience.
