The number of businesses having mobile internet access more than tripled in the year 2007 in comparison with the year 2006. As was recently reported by the Federal Statistical Office, 21% of companies made use of mobile internet access in the year 2007. In 2006 this percentage had been 6% only.
Sharp price drops by mobile communications network operators and the further development of the UMTS technology have significantly increased the appeal of mobile internet access. At the same time the WLAN (wireless local area network) is gaining ground.
So far, however, there is no replacement of wired internet access by mobile systems. Just 2% of companies having mobile internet access in the year 2007 worked exclusively with these.
The use of mobile internet access, however, varies according to the size of a company. While 51% of companies with at least 250 employees used mobile internet access in the year 2007, this percentage was about 19% in those with less than 20 staff.
Mobile internet access is becoming more and more popular in Europe too. Its popularity in Germany is slightly above the European average. Leaders in this respect are companies in Finland (48%), Sweden and Great Britain (each 35%). 