UK Mobile Users Embrace Picture Messaging
The majority of younger adults now use picture messaging and the mobile internet, with the latest findings from the UK Mobile Media Monitor study showing that 36% of mobile phone owners now use their phones to send and receive picture messages, up from 21% at the same time last year.
According to the UK Media Monitor, 40% of females use their phones to send and share pictures, compared to 33% of males. Turning to mobile internet consumption, the study shows that 38% of males use the service, while just 26% of females use WAP.
In younger age groups, WAP usage is now mainstream, with 61% of 18-24 year olds and 50% of 25-24 year olds having recently browsed the mobile internet.
Commenting on the findings, Mike Baker, president and chief executive officer of Enpocket said: “Mobile as a communications medium is getting richer and a lot more exciting. Consequently we’re seeing brands committing to long term mobile marketing strategies that encompass MMS and the internet.”
He continued: “The Mobile Media Monitor gives clients a deep insight into the best way to touch different segments of the UK market.”
The Mobile Media Monitor also revealed the most popular site on the mobile internet, with 48% of mobile surfers visiting one or more ringtone sites in the last three months, 41% visiting news sites and 36% games sites.
Looking towards this year, a recent survey from Informa Telecoms and Media describes 2006 as a “watershed year” for the mobile industry, with 68% of its respondents saying their are more confident about the industry’s prospects in 2006 than they were last year (see 2006).
Next year also looks positive for 3G mobile phones with earlier research from Informa Telecoms and Media revealing that 3G subscriber growth has outperformed first and second generation digital network subscriber growth in the four years since the launch of the world’s first 3G network in Japan (see 3G Mobile Phones Come Of Age).
