Mobile Internet tipping point yet to arrive … but it’s close

So for the last 2 years I’ve been saying that the end of 2009 will be the Mobile Internet’s real growth spurt; that is when we will see a growth and hype somewhat akin to the hey-day of “The internet is going to change the world hype”.

Of course we all know now that the internet IS changing the word, but some of the claims at the time were a little misguided.

However, I stand by my end-of-2009 date because to kick-start the mobile internet it will require that EVERYONE has bundled inclusive data on their tariff – EVERY tariff. Doest matter which tariff; EVERY tariff.

To truly kick-off, it will also have to happen over large expanses of the developed world (e.g. the U.S. and the whole of Europe) and ultimately for many service to work (which are, afterall, global services such as Rummble) then data roaming is going to have to be bundled too.  Thats still a little way off, and perhaps why even end of 2009 might be slightly eager on my part; but, I’m an optomist. I already get 100mb globally of bundled data with my Blackberry – so this stuff is possible.

Anyway, the reason that triggered this post was Vodafone’s announcement that it’s bundling unlimted (well, 500mb) data as part of ALL its tarrifs. Three cheers for Vodafone (there’s something I never thought I’d write). Seriously, its a major step forward and one that is long overdue but extremely welcome.

Well done Vodafone; brownie points from me.   Lastly, the UKs alleged most visited mobile sites (on Vodafone handsets) make for interesting reading:

Top 10 mobile internet sites on VMI (ranked by most visited first)

1. Facebook
2. Google
3. BBC
4. MSN
5. Bebo
6. Sony Ericsson
7. Yahoo
8. MySpace
9. Windows live Hotmail
10. YouTube

Facebook above the Beeb?  What is the world coming too…