The China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) has released a report, according to which, mobile internet access is rapidly growing in China, representing about two-thirds of Internet users in the country. The report notes that nearly 65 percent of the total internet users accessed the web through their mobile phones as of June 30, 2010.
While mobile internet usage recorded an 18 percent increase in the first half of 2010, internet penetration rate in China is still far behind developed nations such as the US and Japan, says the report. Among internet users who used only mobile to surf the net stood at 11 percent, up from 8 percent in December 2009.
According to Liu Bing, director of Internet Research Department of the CNNIC, mobile phones will catch up with personal computers to be another main access to the Internet in the near future. The growth will also be fueled by the availability of more applications for mobile internet users.
The fastest growing mobile internet application is Internet literature with 188 million users as of June 30, 2010, a 15 percent increase compared with 2009. The report cites raise in online works, e-readers growth and commercialised operation of the industry as the key reasons for this increase. Additionally, the report states that the 3G network, introduced in 2009, will further improve the prospects of internet usage in the country.
Mobile phone manufacturing companies are stepping up efforts to cash in on the popularity of the mobile Internet. Recent developments such as iPhone getting approval from the Chinese Telecommunication Equipment Certification Center for WiFi, and Blackberry's decision to partner with China Mobile to introduce smartphones for individual users, are expected to further increase the growth of mobile internet users in the country.
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