Generation Y Chooses the Mobile Web

OSLO, Norway, Nov. 24, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Most 18-27 year-old Opera Mini users use their mobile phones to browse the Web more often than they use a desktop or laptop computer for the same purpose, according to the results from a survey released today by Opera, the pioneering web browser company.

In Nigeria, South Africa, and Indonesia, over 90 percent (%) of so-called Generation Y users said they use their mobile phones more than desktop or laptop computers to access the Internet. Looking at the top handsets used by Opera Mini users in those countries, we notice fewer smartphones (compared to the Poland, Germany, the United States, and Brazil). This result challenges to the long-standing belief that smartphone uptake will be the major driver of mobile web usage globally.

The findings are published in Opera's State of the Mobile Web report. The full report is available from http://www.opera.com/smw/.

The Mobile Web and Generation Y

This report highlights previously unpublished data surrounding mobile and Internet lifestyle attitudes among mobile web users ages 18-27 in the United States, China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Russia, South Africa, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, Brazil, Germany, and Poland. These countries represent major markets in terms of Opera Mini usage.

Some highlights:

- Almost 90% of respondents in the United States aged 18-27 have used their phones to share pictures. Of the profiled countries, Vietnam--at 67%--had the lowest use of mobile phones to share pictures.

- Respondents in the United States are least likely to have asked someone out on a date via SMS (44%). Respondents in China (84%), Germany (84%) and Vietnam (83%) are most likely to have used SMS texts to ask someone out on a date.

- Generation Y in both China and the United States share a disdain for printed newspapers. 53% of respondents in the United States and 57% of respondents in China rarely or never read physical newspapers.

- Watch your privacy policies. Respondents in South Africa (49%) and the United States (44%) were somewhat to very uncomfortable sharing their personal information online.

More results can be obtained in the report.

Opera Mini globally

- In October 2010, Opera Mini had over 76.3 million users, a 7.1% increase from September 2010 and more than 92% compared to October 2009.

- Opera Mini users viewed over 41.6 billion pages in October 2010. Since September, page views have gone up 12.6%. Since October 2009, page views have increased 142%.

What we say

"We have often said that the next generation will grow up knowing the Web mostly through their mobile phones," said Jon von Tetzchner, Co-founder, Opera. "We see this trend already emerging in different regions around the world. The mobile Web will bring a profound change in how we connect with one another. I think the results from this survey already show that change taking place."

State of the Mobile Web report archive: http://www.opera.com/smw/archive/

About Opera Software ASA

Opera Software ASA has redefined web browsing for PCs, mobile phones and other networked devices. Opera Software is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with offices around the world. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol OPERA. Learn more about Opera at http://www.opera.com/.

SOURCE Opera Software