Nielsen Mobile has found that a growing number of mobile phone users are using their handsets to access social networks.
In December 2007, 4.1 million US mobile users accessed a mobile social network, representing 1.6% of mobile subscribers.
In the UK, 810,000 mobile subscribers accessed a mobile social network in the first quarter of 2008, representing 1.7% of the country's mobile users.
"Social networking is already a global phenomenon, and going mobile is
the next big thing," said Jeff Herrmann, vice president of mobile media
at Nielsen Mobile, said in a statement.
Mr. Herrmann also said consumer
demand for mobile social networking may be a significant driver of
mobile data service in the UK.