In a region where mobile telephones have achieved strong
penetration, analysts at Gartner have projected encouraging demand for
mobile internet services across Asia-Pacific.
The researcher estimates there were 34.4 million regular mobile internet
users in the region at the end of 2000, an increase of 29 per cent from
September last year.
Japan and South Korea dominated the region's mobile data market,
accounting for 26.8 million users and seven million users
respectively.
Meanwhile, China's mobile phone subscribers grew to 85.3 million last
year from 43.3 million in 1999. According to the latest market findings,
this represents more than 50 per cent growth and accounts for 37 per
cent of the total Asia-Pacific cellular market in 2000.
China's strong growth also helped boost the overall Asia-Pacific market
to 230 million subscribers at the end of last year.
"Against the backdrop of improved prosperity and favourable government
policies, the cellular industry in China is expanding rapidly," said Ann
Liang, industry analyst for Gartner's Asia-Pacific mobile research
group.
