China has crossed a tipping point in technology as China’s mobile internet use has overtaken traditional PC internet access. With over 530m people connected by mobile, this is a reminder that the mobile web experience will be the first internet experience for many consumers in the world’s largest internet market.
According to the latest biannual Statistical Report on Internet Development in China, the number of Chinese mobile internet users grew 22.2% during the last year to reach 388m (from 356m), against 380m people who went online using fixed broadband connections. Fixed broadband access actually fell slightly during the last six months from a high of 396m connections.
The study from the China Internet Network Information Centre (CNNIC) recorded total internet users at 538m by the end of June, up from 513m in December 2011 and 438m in June last year.
The report also revealed that half of the new users came from rural areas, of which 60% accessed the internet from their mobile phones.
