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INDUSTRY NEWS


23 May 2008

Mobile web usage 'similar to fixed'


A new study has revealed that web users generally have a fixed browsing behaviour, regardless of whether they are using a mobile device, a laptop or a desktop machine.

According to web browser provider Opera, traffic from more than 44 million cumulative users of Opera Mini, the company's first mobile browser, revealed that Google.co.uk and Facebook.com are the most visited sites in the UK.

The study indicated that full web surfing accounted for 77 per cent of all traffic, with other popular fixed websites, such as eBay.co.uk and Yahoo.com rating highly, but .mobi sites, designed specifically for viewing on mobile devices, accounted for just 23 per cent of traffic.

John von Tetzchner, chief executive of Opera Software, said in a statement: "I find it reassuring to see that there is decreasing distinction between the types of web content people use on the mobile device. It really is one web, with people using whichever device they choose to connect to that web."

Meanwhile, an expert has warned that businesses may be forced to deal with two separate layers of mobile internet, as the technology gap between developed and developing countries grows larger.

Ann Mei Chang, engineering site director at Google, told technology website vnunet.com that smart devices mean mobile internet is similar to desktop internet in the most developed countries, but networks and devices of developing countries are at a much lower level.<br/>

© 2006 Adfero Ltd.

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