Internet usage in the Philippine region has a dramatic surge from zero percent in 2009 to five percent this year. One very important factor seen to this notable growth is the attractive tariffs and demand for social networking, according to Neilsen Media Philippines’ Net Index study.
In a report published in Manila Times, the research firm said that affluent young Filipinos are expected to spend more time surfing on the Internet through mobile phones. Neilsen Media has seen this consistent trend given that the cost of mobile devices and Internet access in the region are going down.
The study has revealed as well the activities that drive to mobile Internet usage in the region with instant messaging on top of the list at 77%, followed by e-mail at 75%, and short messaging service (SMS) at 59%.
Meanwhile, the social networking sites (SNS) made it as the most popular social media activity at 53%, followed by user-generated content at 30%. Blogging and forums, on other hand, are considered the least popular activities in the region with 7% and 11%, respectively.
The Philippines has over 29.7 Internet users, and Manila is considered a home to the largest user-base Internet in the country. The study, in this effect, was able to provide a strategic picture of the country in terms of online activities, cross-media usage habits, lifestyles and psychographics to their brand preferences.
