One third of EU on mobile internet by 2014

Mobile internet usage in Europe is set to triple over the next five years, with penetration growing from 13% to 39%.
 
The latest report from Forrester Research says that while take-up has slowed as a result of economic conditions, increased smartphone adoption has kept momentum strong. The report forecasts that European mobile internet penetration will be 17% this year and reach 22% in 2010.
 
Overall, the number of mobile users in Western Europe is forecast to grow to 344 million by year-end 2014.
 
“In the next decade, the mobile internet will replicate the success story of the PC-based internet as social networks, widgets, search engines or company websites adapt for mobile presentation,” said Thomas Husson, analyst at Forrester Research.
 
“But as Europe is one of the most diverse and saturated mobile landscapes in the world, the challenge will be to adapt to local conditions to increase the usage of new services.”