JupiterResearch Finds Creating Better Browser Alternatives Would Stimulate Mobile Internet Adoption

JupiterResearch, a leading authority on the impact of the Internet and
emerging consumer technologies on business, has found that although
high-speed wireless data networks are available to the majority of all
cell phone users, few are migrating "desktop" activities to cell
phones. Among the most common activities, e-mail is the most widely
used on the cell phone, but regular users are still hard to find,
suggesting an alternative to the browser allowing cell phone owners to
access information quickly is necessary to promote adoption. These
findings are outlined in a new report published by JupiterResearch,
"Mobile Internet: Leave the Browser at Home on the Desktop."

Overall, 63 percent of cell phone owners are not using cell phones toaccess such Internet services as search engines or to gather such

information as the daily news, which are both popular activities on
computers. However, the fact that 37 percent of cell phone owners are
accessing some kind of information or services on their cell phone is a
clear indicator of demand from cell phone users for more than voice
services.

"We're not advocating the browser go away - just
that there should be an alternative for 'glanceable' content - the
content people need frequently," explained Vice President Julie Ask,
lead analyst of the report. "Consumers are willing to pay for good
experiences and products. The industry should focus on this reality. In
turn, they can double or triple current adoption levels and drive up
usage by focusing efforts on those cell phone users who would be
motivated by a better user interface and more compelling experiences.."

Better experiences, combined with lower pricing, will likely drive
adoption of Internet services on cell phones, although from a provider
perspective there are varying degrees of expense and challenges
associated with implementation. Still, consumer demand for better
experiences is creating a valid need for a complement to the browser on
mobile devices. Such alternatives will better serve mobile subscribers,
especially for glanceable content needs

"Browser alternatives
such as widgets or applets, which are mini applications that allow for
content to be easily accessed from a home screen or with just a few
clicks, can meet consumer demands for quick access to information,"
said David Schatsky, President of JupiterResearch. "The goal should be
to engage the user through ease of operation so that accessing
information in this manner will eventually become second nature."

The complete findings of this report are immediately available to
JupiterResearch clients online at www.jupiterresearch.com. For details
on JupiterResearch's methodology, visit
www.jupiterresearch.com/bin/item.pl/methodology or email
press@jupiterresearch.com to request a detailed methodology statement.
For additional information on this report or JupiterResearch's Wireless
research service, visit www.jupiterresearch.com or contact Kieran
Kelly, Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Client Service, at
1-800-481-1212 or researchsales@jupiterresearch.com.