Mobile Web Usage Triples in U.S., Study Says

LONDON — More and more consumers are surfing the Internet on their mobile phones, resulting in a three-fold increase in the U.S. over the last year, according to a new study released by mobile web promotions company Bango.com.

The study said that 21 percent of mobile users worldwide live in the U.S., while South Africa contributed 11 percent and India counted for another 9 percent.

According to the study, the U.K. remains the worldwide capital for mobile web usage, accounting for 27 percent of all users.

But the study was only based on mobile web traffic that passed through Bango's many mobile web portals. Bango provides businesses with a variety of ways to help its customers move from standard online websites to mobile websites and vice-versa.

Anil Malhotra, executive vice president of marketing for Bango, told XBIZ that although the company only handles about 10 percent of mobile web traffic worldwide, Bango's diverse client base added legitimacy to its study.

"The numbers we gathered are significant enough for the data to be meaningful," he said.

But what's causing more people to surf the Internet with their cellphones? Malhotra attributed the increase in mobile web traffic to three trends:

  • More companies are offering more and better content on their mobile websites. The presence of better content is attracting more surfers, Malhotra said.
  • Mobile web providers have started to charge flat rates for surfers, as opposed to the download-by-download charges that characterized the early mobile Internet.
  • The mobile Internet is becoming more like the regular Internet. Yahoo and Google have both established stronger presences on the mobile web, and Malhotra said that's only the beginning.
  • As for the future of the mobile Internet, Malhotra said there's a difference of opinion in the mobile web community. Some think that consumers will only use the mobile web for what he called "imperative" services — sports scores, flight times and directions.

    Others like Malhotra maintain that as the mobile Internet becomes more like the regular Internet, consumers will surf on their phones for the same reasons they surf on their computers: to stay informed, shop for clothes — and especially to procrastinate.

    Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
    Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

    More News

    Pre-Nominations Now Open for 2026 TEAs

    The pre-nomination period for the 2026 Trans Erotica Awards (TEAs) is now open.

    FSC Releases Updated Age-Verification Toolkit

    The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has announced the release of its updated age verification toolkit.

    Duke Tax Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

    Duke Tax has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

    UK Moving Ahead with Plan to Outlaw 'Choking' Content

    The U.K. government has announced its intent to follow through on criminalizing “choking” content, a plan that was announced earlier this year.

    Italy to Require Age Verification for Adult Sites

    Italian media regulator AGCOM has announced that all sites and platforms hosting adult content will be required to implement age verification systems starting Nov. 12 to prevent access by users under 18.

    'MILFlicious' Launches Through YourPaysitePartner

    MILFlicious.com has officially launched through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

    Op-Ed: The Guardian's XBIZ Amsterdam Podcast Dismisses Creators' Experiences

    British newspaper The Guardian’s podcast coverage of XBIZ Amsterdam 2025 purports to investigate the power dynamics of today’s online adult industry. Instead, it ignores creators’ voices, airs tired and outdated preconceptions about the business, and rehashes the unsupported claims of anti-pornography crusaders.

    Eva Maxim, BranditScan Launch 'Killer' Promo

    Eva Maxim and BranditScan have partnered for the Killer Creator Giveaway promotion.

    2026 XBIZ Exec Awards Nominees for Online Industry Announced

    XBIZ is pleased to announce the nominees for the online industry edition of the 2026 XBIZ Exec Awards, set to be presented as part of the annual XBIZ Honors ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 14 in conjunction with the XBIZ 2026 digital media conference.

    AEBN Publishes Report on POV Trends

    AEBN has published a report on POV and gonzo categories from its straight and gay theaters.

    Show More