Report: Wireless Internet reaching more eyes

Faster networks, flat-rate data plans and improved marketing from carriers have combined to nearly double the number of mobile Internet users in the United States in less than two years according to new figures from Nielsen Mobile.
A new report from the market research firm indicates 40.4 million U.S. consumers accessed the Internet with a mobile device in May 2008 – up from 29.7 million a year ago and 22.4 million in July 2006. And the United States ranked first among 16 surveyed countries in penetration of the mobile Internet: 15.6% of American wireless subscribers used the wireless Web, followed by the United Kingdom (12.9%), Italy (11.9%), Russia (11.2%) and Spain (10.8%).
Nielsen also found a surprisingly diverse audience on the mobile Internet: 37% of U.S. users are 35 to 54 years old, while 39% of users are 18 to 34 years old. And while nearly one-fourth of all mobile Internet users reported a household income of $100,000 or more, roughly the same number have a household income of less than $50,000.
“We expect the chain reaction to continue: as more consumers have positive mobile Internet user experiences, anchored by increasing device capability, speed and content optimization, other consumers will catch on,” the firm reported. “Operators will do their part to ensure that mobile data services become a more standard part of the wireless subscription. This growth will fundamentally expand the mobile Internet marketing opportunity and, if done correctly, enhance the overall consumer mobile experience greatly in 2008 and 2009.”