Wireless Internet Access Climbs Nearly 30% In 2004; More Than Two Out Of Five Users Globally Have Accessed The Internet Via A Wireless Connection, With More Using Mobile Phones To Connect, The Face Of The Web Study From Ipsos-Insight Reveals.

NEW YORK, March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- True to 2003 wireless projections from The Face of the Web study, the number of wireless Internet users in 2004 grew by 29%. The latest findings - based on interviews in 12 key global markets with 6,544 adults, including 3,304 active Internet users - show that an estimated 171 million people, or 44% of Internet users in the measured markets, have accessed the Internet wirelessly.

Japan and the Advancing markets saw the largest year-over-year growth among adults who used the Internet via a wireless connection. However, wireless population growth was largely driven by the two biggest Internet markets, the U.S. and Japan, fuelling 69% of user increase and adding an estimated 15 million and 11.6 million new wireless Internet users, respectively. Wireless Internet also gained some popularity in Western Europe, South Korea, and Urban China.

   Wireless Connections: Beyond the Laptop   ---------------------------------------  

Consequently, and challenging popular thinking, it isn't the growth in laptop and Wi-Fi usage that is leading wireless Internet takeup. The number of adults who used a laptop for connecting to the Internet wirelessly was smaller compared to those who used a device like a mobile phone. In Japan, for instance, where wireless Internet, laptop, and mobile phone prevalence is highest, twice as many adults (59%) have accessed the Internet through a mobile device such as a mobile phone than have used a wireless laptop connection (28%). Similarly, outside of North America, Germany, and Urban Mexico, mobile devices like mobile phones are propelling wireless Internet use.

   To peruse the full release, please go to:   http://www.ipsos-na.com/news/pressrelease.cfm?id=2598    For information on purchasing The Face of the Web 2004 study,   please contact:   Neil Modi   Ipsos-Insight Technology & Communications Practice   312.665.0561   nilesh.modi@ipsos-na.com  

CONTACT: For information on purchasing The Face of the Web 2004 study, please contact: Neil Modi, Ipsos-Insight Technology & Communications Practice, (312) 665-0561, nilesh.modi@ipsos-na.com