Mobile Internet most popular with the well-paid and well-educated

According to research by Point Topic, Mobile Internet users are a rare breed.

The survey questioned 2000 people across the UK, and asked if they accessed the Internet using a mobile device, such as a USB broadband dongle or mobile phone, for the month of May 2008.

The survey showed that only 6% of the general adult population, the equivalent of 2.9 million users, said they used the Internet via a mobile device.  

Point Topic also found a strong correlation between socio-economic status and mobile internet use.  “These are people who have everything,” said Tim Johnson, Chief Analyst at Point Topic. “On the whole they are young, well-paid, well-educated and they own a much wider range of consumer goods than average, particularly digital devices of all kinds.”

The research showed that just over 25% of adults came from socio-economic group (SEG) A, but this figure then drops to less than 10% percent across all other SEGs. 

However, Point Topic believes the prospects for user growth look good.

“Of the 28.7 million people who do already use the internet, but not on the move, some 62%, or 17.8 million, say they could be interested in one or more mobile applications. This offers the opportunity for rapid growth over the next few years,” added Johnson.