Mobile internet access growing in SA

Johannesburg - More than half of South Africans questioned in a recent survey access the internet on their cellphones daily, a new study revealed on Monday.

Among those surveyed, 57% had engaged in some form of banking or financial activity on their cellphones, including balance check and transfer of funds, while about 21% had paid a bill via their mobile device.

The survey of more than 8 000 people in nine countries was conducted by the Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF).

Of South Africans questioned, 89% reported using their cellphone to research or purchase a digital or physical product.

“Findings across all regions concur that the vast majority of respondents are actively using their mobile for the purchase of goods and items,” said the MEF.

Overall, 72% of those surveyed globally, use mobile internet daily, with 18% no longer using fixed line to access the internet at all.

Fifty seven percent of those questioned around the world had used mobile banking.

“In each individual market,the number of consumers accessing the mobile internet daily is higher than the number accessing fixed-line internet,” MEF said.

Christian de Faria, MEF board member for Europe Middle East and Africa, said: “Consumers are driven by the need for convenience.”

However, the survey found that security was cited as a major concern by this surveyed.

Twenty-seven percent of consumers stated they would use mobiles to make purchases more often if security was addressed.