UK - mobile broadband and social networking

3G Mobile Broadband and Mobile Social Networking is Booming

Orange unveiled its fourth Digital Media Index, a detailed report offering an insight into customer consumption of digital media.

The latest findings reveal a marked increase in mobile data usage, which has almost doubled in the last quarter. This increase follows improvements to devices designed to access mobile data – from USB dongles to more advanced mobile handsets, all matched with new price plans specifically created to increase mobile internet relevancy to consumers. At the same time, the evolution of social networking to the mobile platform, combined with more effective promotion of on portal content and services, means consumers are now accessing the content they want, quicker and easier than ever before.

Key findings from the summer/autumn report include:

* Dongle subscriptions surge - an increase of 2,139% since January
* 3G customers soar by 86% - with 1.3 million customers added
* Mobile search increases by 30% - while local search increases by 100%
* Social networking takes off - with over 166 million page impressions on average per month
* Music downloads increase by 10% - with September specifically seeing a record 300,000 full tracks downloaded

Figures are in comparison to the third Orange Digital Media Index which covered the three month period from November 07 – January 08

Paul Jevons, Director of Products, Portals and Services for Orange, said: “This latest report reflects a transition in mobile similar to what is taking place on the web – mobile is no longer simply a channel for brands to deliver packaged content in a manner of their choosing. Instead the mobile phone has become a truly interactive channel that fosters the formation of communities through social networking sites such as Facebook and Bebo. It also delivers content that is personally tailored to the individual so customers can access the services they want how and when they want them.”