Traditionally many people have had less than satisfactory experiences when accessing the internet and other data services on mobile phones – web sites have been slow to load, have not properly fitted the browser screen and have been expensive to download. Now all that’s changing fast.

Mobile internet is currently undergoing a revolution, with reported usage figures exploding. The number of mobile phone users accessing the internet on their handsets is rising. According to the Mobile Data Association (MDA), a total of 17.58 million people in the UK used their phones to access the internet in 2007 (an increase from 16.2 million in 2006). This growing popularity can be attributed to changes in both accessibility and content.

The iPhone, which benefits from Apple’s existing technology, has raised the bar extremely high when it comes to creating a browsing experience on a phone. However, a range of phones are now on the market, such as the Samsung Omnia, which offer a similar look and feel at a more affordable price point. For professional users BlackBerry’s new Bold handset has been very favorably reviewed. The 3G, HSDPA and WiFi enabled-phone has an impressively large screen and keyboard enabling seamless web browsing, emailing and document editing.      

Webmasters are also investing in the mobile internet. Most major sites now have dedicated mobile versions optimised for handset browsers. BBC Online, The Times newspaper, Facebook, Google, Amazon, Hotmail and Ebay are all easily viewed on a mobile handset.

New mobile sites are launching ever month. For example, an Isle of Man-based company has just launched the world’s first flight booking site optimised for mobiles. Justtheflight.co.uk allows users to easily book and change flights when on the move. Such facilities are a boon for business users who find themselves delayed at an airport outside of normal office hours and wanting to find an alternative route to their next destination. Justtheflight worked with Sure and Research in Motion to get a dedicated BlackBerry widget which can be downloaded onto handsets for even easier access to the site.  

Accessing traditional web sites on a mobile handset is still a mixed experience. For that reason we launched a search browser in 2007 as part of our Sure Live! WAP site which enables customers to search for most web sites and have them automatically adapted to fit the browser for any mobile phone. It is a huge leap forward meaning that users are no longer frustrated at information on the periphery of pages dropping off the screen. Navigation is clear and simple.

For professional users the cost of data usage on mobiles is still a concern, particularly as they can often be travelling.

EU IT commissioner Viviane Reding has led a campaign to encourage European telecoms operators to reduce the amount they charge users who ‘roam’ onto their networks when abroad.

According to the GSM Association this is having a positive effect. European data roaming traffic (SMS, MMS, mobile internet access and data downloads) increased by 75% between April 2007-April 2008. During the same period the average price of data roaming charges fell by 25%. The average cost of sending a text message in Europe fell by 18%.

It is already extremely affordable to use mobile data when in the Isle of Man, Channel Islands and UK, as it is possible to get data usage as an inclusive part of a Sure Pay monthly contract. However, as charges continue to fall in other countries it will help business travelers.

The trend for professionals is towards a seamless merger between life and work. This needn’t involve increased stress. If managed it means a more flexible lifestyle made possible in part by access to portable technology.

Over the course of an average day you might use your mobile to get a weather report before leaving the house. While on the bus to work you might check a personal email account or go over the latest news headlines. During work the internet will be accessed from a desktop as an information tool, but you might choose to leave for a couple of hours to attend a child’s school play. Not only can you keep in touch with the latest news, emails and, if relevant, market data through your phone, but you can chronicle the event by taking a photo which is then sent as a picture message to all your friends. Having left work if (heavens forbid) you have forgotten to make dinner reservations then it is easy to look up the number of a restaurant and, in some cases, even book online. If the reason you forgot dinner was because of an important football match then you can always sneak off for a comfort break, check the score and watch video of the goals! At all times you will still have access to email on your phone enabling you to stay ahead of any potential work crisis.    

The future for high speed mobile internet is really exciting. Suddenly 50 million web pages are literally at the fingertips of mobile customers. If you aren’t yet using your mobile in this way, it’s time to join the revolution.