2004 Beats Records For WAP Usage

The Christmas period saw usage of Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) by mobile phone users increase by 24% compared to the same period in 2003, with an average daily total of 40 million downloads, according to data released today by the Mobile Data Association (MDA).

The overall number of WAP page impressions reached in 2004 was a massive 14.6 billion, creating a new record high and soaring past the MDA’s previous forecasts of 13 billion for the year.

Research released by the MDA in December 2004 stated that from a total active customer base of over 52 million, GPRS enabled devices topped 26 million, seeing an increase of 10% on the previous quarter during September 2004 (see Mobile Internet And Picture Messaging Enjoy Massive Growth).

The figure represents a 50 % penetration rate of GPRS mobile phones, indicating the popularity of using internet on the move is rapidly increasing. This trend is expected to continue, with the MDA predicting by the end of 2005 that 75% of all UK handsets in use will be able to access the internet.

The MDA recently revealed that a record number of text messages were sent in 2004, with mobile messaging hitting the 26 billion mark, breaking the previous yearly forecast of 25 billion (see December Beats Records For Text Messaging).

Mobile Data Association: 01922 419600 www.mda-mobiledata.org

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