This week Nielsen Online published its findings regarding mobile internet usage in the UK.

According to their research mobile internet usage increased by 25% (an increase from 5.8 to 7.3 million) between the second and third quarter of 2008. PC based internet usage grew by 3% in the same period.

Nielsen found that there is a higher concentration of younger users (aged 14-24) using mobile internet services compared to services accessed via a PC.

BBC news, Google Search, BBC Weather and Facebook are the most popular mobile sites indicating a need for fast access to resources and information.

It’s interesting to see that mobile internet usage is increasing so rapidly; Sometimes I hear the arguments that mobile internet access is prohibitively expensive or requires advanced handsets that many people do not have. All inclusive “web” deals, subsidised phones and faster mobile networks have chipped away at those arguments. Almost anyone can now have cheap and easy access to the information they want when and wherever they want it.

Many students I have talked to don’t consider their phone to be mobile technology, it’s just a part of their day to day life. A mobile is slipped into the pocket without any thought, just like putting on a pair of shoes before you go outside.

To read the full Nielsen report click here (PDF)