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 © 2026 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

    JustFor.fans Launches 'JFF Create' iPhone App

    JustFor.fans (JFF) has launched its new iPhone creator management app, JFF Create.

    ShootXEvents Joins ASACP as Media Sponsor

    ShootXEvents has signed on as an in-kind media sponsor for the Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP).

    Pornhub Unblocks UK Users on iOS Devices, Citing Apple AV Effectiveness

    Pornhub parent company Aylo on Tuesday announced that users in the United Kingdom will once again be able to access the popular site if they are using Apple devices and have confirmed their age through Apple’s U.K. age-verification process.

    FSC Launches 'Know Your Rights' 1st Amendment Resource Page

    The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has launched "Know Your Rights," a resource page detailing First Amendment protest guidelines.

    Utah VPN Rule for Adult Sites Takes Effect This Week

    A new law in Utah comes into force Wednesday, making adult websites liable if minors in the state circumvent geolocation efforts to bypass age verification.

    UPDATED: Court Approves Class Action in Labor Claims Against VMG

    A U.S. district court has granted class certification in a civil lawsuit filed against Vixen Media Group (VMG) by retired performer Kenzie Anne, making it possible for additional performers to join in a class action against the company.

    Brazil Invites Public Input on Guidelines for New Digital Law

    Brazil’s National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) is soliciting public comments to help improve interpretation and application of the country’s Digital Statute for Children and Adolescents (Digital ECA), which requires adult websites to age-verify users located in Brazil.

    X3 Expo Unveils Euro All-Stars for Inaugural Amsterdam Edition

    X3 Expo, Hollywood's premier adult entertainment expo, makes its European debut at Passenger Terminal Amsterdam Sept. 11-12, bringing together fans, creators, and industry insiders for the Continent’s largest assembly of adult entertainment stars, alongside a dazzling lineup of attractions spotlighting the cutting edge of modern media and pleasure tech.

    2026 Pornhub Awards Nominees Announced

    The list of nominees has been revealed for the eighth annual Pornhub Awards, presented by gaming platform 1win, which will be held May 27 in Los Angeles.

    AEBN Publishes Popular Searches by Country for February, March

    AEBN has released the list of popular searches from its straight and gay theaters, by country, for February and March.

    Show More