Mobile web services 'can expand on flat-rate model

Category: Internet Trends

November 30th 07, 08:55

Internet services on mobile phones could soon be reaching new levels of use, with experts identifying the UK as a ground-breaking market in WAP services.

Business intelligence firm Informa Telecoms & Media said that as soon as flat-rate payment schemes were developed, people would be less wary of whittling away credit with mobile surfing.

An Ofcom report earlier this year found that one in three UK adults already owned an internet-enabled phone, but that only half of those had ever used it for web-surfing, meaning that vast new markets could be opened up by etailers, should mobile web-surfing be made more affordable.

Dan Winterbottom, principal analyst with Informa, said: "What's changing at the moment is that the operators are offering flat-rate data pricing and the UK is one of the leading markets in this.

"Vodafone, 3, T-Mobile, they're all introducing these flat-rate data plans and as soon as the fear of watching the money tick away has gone, people are more and more willing to explore what's available."

A flat-rate payment system allows mobile users to pay a set amount per day or per month, then enabling unlimited browsing in a similar way to home broadband internet connections.

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