Mobile Internet subscription grew at blistering pace in China during 2008 on the back of low-priced web-enabled handsets and increasing penetration of Internet.
China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) said the mobile Internet subscription in the country surged tremendously by 113% in 2008, as reported by China Daily.
Nearly 39.5% of Internet users in China prefer to use their cell phones for surfing. In fact, students play a key role in expanding mobile Internet subscription base as 43.5% of them access net on their mobiles to download music, read online news, access e-mails and perform a number of other tasks. Moreover, the popularity of Internet in China crossed the global average rate of 21.9% for the first time by ticking at 22.6%. The number of broadband users in the country stood at 270 Million and the number of .CN domains swelled to 13.572 Million posting a YOY growth of 50.8%.
Thanks to the expansion of wireless network, mobile Internet users in China increased at an unprecedented rate. The operators are paying a great deal of attention to the penetration of wireless Internet, making it popular among Chinese. Low cost mobile handsets also led to the propagation of mobile Internet.
Moreover, high speed 3G networks offer fast data download that enable users to watch TV programs and make video calls. These new features will encourage more mobile users to subscribe to mobile Internet services.
Even industry players are seeing launch of 3G services as a big opportunity to further expand their subscriber base. For instance, China Mobile, China’s biggest mobile operator, announced that it would set up 60,000 3G base stations in 2009 and cover around 70% of the cities under the provincial level through new network.
2008 represents one of the good years in the history of Chinese telecom industry. Rapid growth in the mobile Internet subscription shows fast growth in the telecom industry and promises future growth.
According to a Research Analyst at RNCOS, “The Chinese mobile Internet market is expected to continue to move ahead on its growth path. Deployment of 3G services will also support to the popularity of mobile Internet as over 117 Million subscribers are accessing online service on their cell phones.”
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