UK WAP Page Impressions Top 1 Billion In December

The number of internet page impressions made by WAP devices topped one billion in the UK for the first time in December 2003, according to the latest data from the Mobile Data Association (MDA).

The December figure represents an increase of 50 million over November’s total and provides the highest monthly total for WAP page impressions since the MDA began collecting data in September 2002. The total, from GSM Network operators O2, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone, takes the daily average to 33 million, compared to 13.5 million per day in December 2002.

December’s figure gives a year end total of 9.2 billion, compared to the MDA prediction in January 2003 of 8 billion. The MDA is forecasting continued growth in 2004, with WAP page impressions expected to reach 13 billion for the full year. The Association will post monthly figures throughout the year; these will include a reconsidered forecast for the 2004 figures.

Rob Conway, CEO of the GSM Association commented: “Globally, the GSM world will be marking one billion connected GSM customers during first quarter 2004. Against this backdrop, the GSMA is pleased to see competitive mobile data services continue to evolve, innovate and grow. Exceeding one billion WAP page impressions in one month for the first time in the UK is a very encouraging and positive sign – and we congratulate the UK operators on this milestone.”

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