The Mobile Only Internet Generation

The ‘Mobile Only’ Internet GenerationDecember 2010Alistair Hill

The ‘mobile only’ Internet generationIn developed economies the mobile internet is commonly thought of as an extension of the desktop internet, providing an additional, convenient and portable access method.However for many people around the world, the mobile phone will be the primary, or only way to access the internet. This will have profound effects, not only on the lives of these people, but on the Internet industry and the way brands communicate and interact with these consumers – the nextbillion consumers.In the first of a quarterly series, summarising recent client studies, On Device Research will examine this new segment, the ‘Mobile Only’ Internet generation.

On Device Research servicesOn Device AnswersOn Device EffectivenessOn Device PanelsGlobal consumer research panels. Quick and affordable insight from any country with a focus on emerging markets.Device agnostic survey product. Works on web enabled feature phones, smartphones, PC, iPad, etc.Advertising effectiveness studies using mobile surveys and diaries.

Research methodologyData analysed to retrieve insightsMobile Internet survey created through On Device AnswersRespondents recruited through On Device PanelsOnline interface allows clients to create and edit surveys.

Automatic identification of device, carrier and GPS location (where possible).

Consumers fulfil survey on the mobile internet.

The sample is representative of mobile internet browsers and weighted by OEM share and demographics.

Survey results are processed and analysed.

Analysts deliver insight on consumer behaviour and attitudes.DefinitionsThe ‘Mobile Only’ Internet GenerationThose who use the mobile internet but have either never used or only use the desktop internet once a month or less. Desktop InternetAccessing the internet via a desktop, laptop, netbook or tablet computer.

The Mobile Only Internet GenerationMobile Internet Usage in:AfricaAsiaNet Promoter for Mobile InternetAgenda

The ‘Mobile Only’ Internet GenerationThe ‘Mobile Only’ internet generation are an exciting new group of the world’s population. For the first time these people have the opportunity to access news, information, communication and retail services similar to those used by the first, desktop, Internet generation.The profile of this group differs based on their location:Developing nations – Young (70% under 25 years old), mostly male and often still students. Early adopters who already have a mobile device and for small additional costs can gain access to the internet.

Developed nations – Older, more even gender split, skewing towards lower incomes. Late adopters, who already own a mobile phones and are attracted by the convenience and lower overall cost of accessing the internet via their mobile device.The mobile Internet is becoming the sole or primary access method for manyIt has often been assumed that the mobile Internet will be the sole access method for many. The results of recent client studies show that for roughly 50% of African and Asian mobile internet browsers this is the primary access method..In contrast 22-25% of US and UK mobile internet browsers never or infrequently use the desktop internet.Countries: Egypt, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, India, Indonesia, Thailand, China, US, UK and RussiaDate: July- November 2010 -N= 15,204

Emerging markets ‘mobile only’ browsersare mostly under 25In emerging markets the vast majority of the ‘mobile only’ are under 25, the vast majority are male and many are in education.In the developed world the ‘mobile only’ are a different segment. In the UK they are split more evenly with 58% over 25.The US however provides interesting results, with most being over 25 and many on lower incomes.Countries: Nigeria, India, US, and UKDate: July- November 2010 N= 6165

55% of Indian ‘mobile only’ are studentsOver half of the Indian ‘mobile only’ are in either school or university, indicating that a level of intelligence is required to have either the curiosity or know how to go on the mobile internet.This young and educated group are the worlds future internet users and will make up a large part of the worlds next billion consumers.Countries: IndiaDate: July 2010 N= 1070

In the US, the ‘mobile only’ skew towards lower incomesMobile browsers with household income of under $25,000 per year are 19% more likely to not, or rarely, use the desktop internet.If we couple this information with the demographic data it becomes clear that there is a large group of lower income over 25’s who only use the mobile internet but rarely, or never, use the desktop internet.Countries: USDate: November 2010 N= 1290

The Emerging markets opportunityThe new digital audience creates opportunities for brands, Internet, media and financial services companies. The following section highlights some of these:Internet Companies + Brands – There is an appetite for mobile friendly Internet services (email, social networking, news, etc) many of which are ad funded. Brands have a new opportunity to market to these users, reaching the previously unconnected emerging middle classes in developing countries.Media – Downloading content is extremely popular (games and music downloading are the top browsing genres in Africa). Media companies have the opportunity to market and sell directly on the device where the content will be consumed, to an audience who don’t have the option to download on PC.Financial – Many ‘Mobile Only’ browsers don’t have a back account (in India 57% of the ‘Mobile Only’ don’t have a bank account). All of these people have a billing relationship with their mobile operator, giving them the opportunity to purchase electronically for the first time.

Content downloads and social networking leads mobile browsing behaviour in AfricaOver 50% of mobile browsers go to sites for downloading games and music.Communication services such as social networking and email are popular.Almost half of respondents use search.Countries: Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, SenegalDate: October 2010N= 7325

Opera provides quasi-smartphone experience for feature phone users in AfricaOpera users are 33% more likely to use social networks than Non-Opera users and are comparable in behaviour to UK mobile browsers.In the UK, smartphone owners are 20% more likely to use social networking than those who don’t own a smartphone.Countries: Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, Senegal, UKDate: October 2010N= 7325 + UK=1448

Nokia dominates mobile browsing in Africa85% accessed the internet with a feature phone.Of the 15% who used a smartphone nearly all were Nokia Symbian devices with almost no reported use of Android or iPhones.Countries: Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, SenegalDate: October 2010N= 7325

66% of Kenyan ‘mobile only’ users download mobile musicWith limited or no access to the desktop Internet for many in Africa, the mobile Internet provides a significant opportunity for media and content companies. 66% of the Kenyan ‘mobile only’ have downloaded music on their mobile, with almost half downloading games and videos.Countries: KenyaDate: October 2010N= 1009

75% of Indonesian mobile browsers use social networks Only 39% of Indian browsers use social networking. Social networking is interactive and lends itself to faster data speeds. India currently doesn’t have mass market 3G services, Indonesia does.Search is the most popular mobileInternet activity in India.Indian browsers look for cricket scores, Indonesian for soccer (football).Countries: India + IndonesiaDate: July-August 2010N= 2138

Over 90% browse the mobile Internet at homeWith roughly half of Indonesian and Indian mobile browsers not using the desktop internet and over 90% using it in the home, it becomes clear that the mobile will play a very different role in these Asian countries compared to western markets.Countries: India + IndonesiaDate: July-August 2010N= 2138

57% of the Indian ‘mobile only’ don’t have a bank accountIn India, not only do the ‘mobile only’ not use the desktop internet but 57% also don’t have bank account.There is a huge opportunity for the previously unbanked and unconnected to use electronic payments to purchase goods and services.Everyone of this 57% has a billing relationship with their mobile operator.Countries: India Date: July 2010N= 1070

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