The number of computers in the US using mobile broadband technology to access the internet grew by 154% year on year in Q4 2007, according to a new study from comScore.
Mobile broadband employs cellular networks, where users pay subscriptions for access and the connection is made with a PC card, built-in adapter, or connections can be tethered via a cell-phone or PDA, and is different to Wi-Fi access.
| Number of Computers Using Mobile Broadband, Q4 2007 vs. Q4 2006, Total US – Home/Work/University Locations |
| |
Unique Computers (000) |
| Q4 2006 |
Q4 2007 |
Percent Change |
| Mobile Broadband |
854 |
2,168 |
154% |
| Source: comScore |
Serge Matta, senior vice president of comScore, said: “Though mobile broadband access is currently used by about 1% of the total US internet population, it is poised for significant growth over the next few years.
“As consumers increasingly demand and depend on portable internet access the demand for mobile broadband should continue to increase.”
comScore said that at this early stage of mobile broadband, usage appears to be more a function of ‘need’ than ‘want’.
In particular, mobile broadband shows a significantly higher presence on work computers (59%) than home/personal computers (41%).
| Mobile Broadband Usage by Location, Q4 2007 vs. Q4 2006, Total US – Home/Work/University Locations |
| Location |
Percent of Computers |
| Total |
100% |
| Home/Personal |
41% |
| Work |
51% |
| Source: comScore |
Mobile broadband is also something of a luxury, skewing strongly towards the highest income households. Those making at least $100,000 were 37% more likely than average to use mobile broadband, while those with incomes below $25,000 were 41% less likely to do so.
| Mobile Broadband Usage by Income Segment, Q4 2007 vs. Q4 2006, Total US – Home/Work/University Locations |
| Household Income |
Percent of Mobile Broadband Computers |
Index Mobile Broadband v Mobile Internet* |
| Total Households |
100% |
100 |
| $0-$24,999 |
6% |
59 |
| $25,000-$49,999 |
15% |
80 |
| $50,000-$74,999 |
28% |
97 |
| $75,000-$99,999 |
15% |
93 |
| More than $100,000 |
36% |
137 |
| *Index = Percent of Mobile Broadband/Percent of Total Internet x 100; Index of 100 represents parity. |
| Source: comScore |
“The mobile broadband market is ripening as we speak, and ISPs can benefit by increasing awareness that they have the services to meet their consumers’ demands'” added Matta. “Those ISPs that get ahead of the curve in understanding this emerging market will be best positioned to reap its rewards.”
A report published by Point Topic in January revealed that by the end of the third quarter of 2007 there were 328.8 million broadband subscribers worldwide.
This equates to an increase of 4.72% in the quarter, down from the 5.16% increase reported in Q207 (see 328.8m Broadband Subscribers Worldwide).
Point Topic said that North America was the only region to buck the general trend. The combination of the US and Canada reported an increased growth rate of 0.15% to 3.29% for the quarter.
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