Smartphone usage 'up significantly' in 2010

Smartphone adoption in the US and Europe increased dramatically in 2010, new figures have shown, which may affect the number of individuals using IP telephony via mobile devices.

Latest numbers from technology research firm comScore showed the proportion of mobile subscribers with handheld computers hit 27 per cent last year, an increase of ten percentage points from 2009.

In Europe, the figure was up to 31 per cent in 2010 from 21 per cent the year before.

Commenting on the findings, comScore senior vice president of mobile Mark Donovan said the last 12 months had been "game-changing" for the mobile phone sector.

 "Smartphone adoption, 3G penetration and unlimited data plans drove a surge of mobile media consumption across geographies and deepened the integration of mobile devices into everyday life," he remarked.

Mr Donovan went on to state that the next 12 months has the potential to be yet more productive, as mobile telephony becomes increasingly important as a platform across the whole economy.

Recent figures from In-Stat predicted the number of IP telephony devices sold worldwide will top 40 million by 2015.