Accessing the Internet through PCs will soon be a thing of the past

Around 95% of Internet users in Singapore get online through personal computers but a new survey reveals that a growing proportion are turning to alternative devices.

Data from Nielsen as per request by Singapore Business Review show that currently 3% say their mobile phone is their primary means of accessing the Internet but about 6 out of ten (59%) indicate that they would access the Internet via a mobile phone.

Another over a quarter (28%), meanwhile, intended to get online via other handheld multimedia devices such as tablet computers.

At the end of 2010, Nielsen estimated Smartphone penetration amongst Singapore netizens to be around 46 percent (26 percentage points higher than the SEA average).

In addition, over two thirds (38%) of Singapore Internet users who did not already own a Smartphone at the end of 2010 intended to purchase a Smartphone in 2011.

According to Nielsen, the expected spike in Smartphone ownership will add fuel to mobile Internet usage, particularly if data plans become more affordable.

“Singaporeans have been very quick to embrace new technology such as Smartphones and tablets which provide on-the-go access to the Internet,” notes Matt Bruce, Nielsen’s Managing Director of Audience Measurement in the APMEA Region. “

To contact the journalist, you may send your message to krisana@charltonmediamail.com