Hard Data on Mobile Usage

Nielsen Mobile put out new data today based on a global survey of 1 million mobile subscribers' use of the web on their phones, and the numbers continue to point to a growth narrative that is one of the strongest in the American economy.

Monthly Usage & Upside

Nielsen's data demonstrates that 40 million Americans access the Internet via their cell phones as of May 2008, which is 15.6% of the mobile subscribers in the US. This data is very consistent with what the Pew Center found that we discussed here. However, even more exciting is the fact that fully 95 million Americans have access to the mobile web through their cell phone service provider either by directly paying for it, or bundled with their other services. That number is up 28% from Q1 2007, but still accounts for just 37% of the 254 million mobile phone subscribers in the US.

These numbers are very exciting for Mpayy demonstrating that the installed untapped base is already 55 million strong. Further, continued growth of the mobile web subscribers to even 50% will more than triple the number of users today. Mobile data packages account for $1.7 billion in annual sales, and the average subscriber is spending $11 on monthly data plans.

Specific Uses

Nielsen's data contradicts what we discuss yesterday, demonstrating that the iPhone is #2 in the device list with 4% penetration, still a ways behind the 10% occupied by the Motorola Razor.


As far as the specific browsing habits, Nielsen reveals that 40% of mobile Internet users find their favorite sites through search engines, and 22% type in the exact URL. Just 17% of users find their sites through carrier portals, a number that is likely to continue to decline as iPhone, SmartPhones and imitators continue penetration.

Further, 5 million users in the US are accessing mobile banking websites that mostly just allow them to view their account balances and make a few payments. This number shows massive potential for breakout for Mpayy's Personal accounts that allow electronic payments to friends and family as well as roving salespeople that use Mpayy's secure Mobile Merchant account. As you can see from the left, email, weather and sports continue to lead mobile web usage, but watch out for Mpayy!

SmartPhone & iPhone Penetration Continue

This blog has covered mobile web usage growth as reliable numbers come out. A couple of interesting data points have been released lately that point to a high probability for the continuation of this trend.

SmartPhone Numbers

Nielsen Mobile put out numbers on SmartPhone penetration last week. The numbers are consistent with the Pew Research numbers we discussed here. Fully 63.9% of SmartPhone users are below 45, with 35.9% below the age of 35.

Further, focusing on this market exposes companies to some of the highest paid Americans with 35.1% having incomes over $100,000, according to Nielsen's data. These users are spending over $200 for their device and over $100 on their monthly plans, and 52% of those users are paying for the plans themselves as opposed to their companies remitting these fees.

Many Apples a Day

The Apple 3G iPhone launches on Friday, and though it is still 4th in the SmartPhone race, this year promises to be a barnburner. Apple expects to sell 5.1 million iPhones in Q3 2008 and another 6.5 million iPhones in the 4th quarter, according to numbers quoted by Silicon Alley Insider. Some analysts are estimating that Apple will sell 45 million iPhones in 2009.

SmartPhones and the iPhone are driving the move of functionality from the internet to the mobile web. As more and more of these phones come online, more people will begin to use Mpayy for free person-to-person money transfers, and independent salespeople and small businesses can use these phones as mobile Points of Sale. Check out our mobile website with advanced account management features.

Calling All Sellers! Mpayy Mobile Merchant Accounts

Mpayy has been operating as an online and mobile payment processing system at http://www.mpayy.com and http://mobile.mpayy.com for about a week and a half, and the name of the game is find SELLERS.

So, this is an open letter to the following types of sellers:

- eBay auctioneers
- Overstock Auctioners
- uBid auctioneers
- Bidtopia sellers
- eBid sellers
- AVON ladies
- Mary Kay sellers

Mpayy's Mobile Merchant account was created JUST FOR YOU!!!

How it Works

Mpayy offers two Mobile Merchant accounts. Both are fully self-service and priced at $0.20 + 2%. The only difference is that the Mobile Merchant Universal is linked to a checking account, and funds can be withdrawn to that linked bank account at any time. The Mobile Merchant Standard account was created so that teams can empower their independent salespeople with this awesome mobile point of sale tool, and they can transfer any revenues to a company account that then has funds moved into the linked checking account.

All Mobile Merchant sales receive 100% guaranteed payments, instant account notification by both SMS text message and email. Merchants face 0% fraud liability, as Mpayy assumes that burden. Sales are tracked and downloadable through the Mobile Merchant account dashboard Activity section.

Buyers must have Mpayy accounts as well. However, this can be opened in a matter of minutes and users can open accounts and make purchases within the same session. They will automatically receive 1% Cash Back on Purchase Amounts over $50.

Give it a go! Start selling through Mpayy, today!