Mobile Internet Usage In Europe To Surge Over The Next Five Years

“The mobile internet is finally reaching the tipping point,” said Forrester Research Analyst Pete Nuthall. “But deploying high-speed mobile networks and rolling out advanced handsets are not enough to spark demand - our data shows that less than half of 3G phone owners use the 3G capability on their phone. To drive the mobile Internet, operators will need to push flat-rate data plans, increase the number of relevant services and applications, and introduce new devices that provide a better user experience.”

The Forrester report forecasts mobile Internet adoption across 17 individual countries:

• Austria, Italy, the UK, and the Nordics in the lead for 3G adoption. More than 60% of mobile phone users in these countries will have either a 3G or 3.5G handset by the end of 2010. These countries will also be the quickest to adopt 3.5G, reaching penetration rates of more than 25% by the end of 2013.
• France, Germany, and the Netherlands are middle-of-the-road countries. By the end of 2010, 3G and 3.5G penetration rates in these countries will range from 50% to 60%. However, by the end of 2013, these countries will be on par with the leading countries in terms of overall 3G adoption, albeit with a lower share of 3.5G phones — at around 20% of mobile phone users.
• Belgium, Greece, and Ireland will be slow to catch up. Less than 50% of consumers in these countries will have either a 3G or 3.5G handset by the end of 2010. And by the end of 2013, less than 20% of mobile phone users will have a 3.5G device.