18 Oct 2012

Mobile internet access growing rapidly - survey

12:05 pm on 18 October 2012

A report on the ways New Zealanders use technology has found internet use through mobile phones has skyrocketed over the past year.

The Roy Morgan annual survey of 12,000 people found 31% of those surveyed owned a smartphone.

Of smartphone users, 68% use their mobile phone to access the internet, and internet access via mobile phone has increased by 99% in the last 12 months.

The survey found 56% of respondents were members of Facebook, equivalent to about two million New Zealanders logging onto the site each month.

However, the it notes Facebook membership may have peaked.

Just under 6% of respondents use Twitter in an average four week period, but its growth continues and has increased by 31% in the last 12 months.

The survey also shows growing numbers of New Zealanders are shopping, banking and seeking entertainment online.