As readers of this blog already know, I've been fascinated by the shock created when the Apple iPhone finally reached the South Korean market, after more than two years of delay. (for example, see this earlier post) Now a Google study has released some fascinating data about the rapid spread of mobile broadband usage here in South Korea. As reported in The Wall Street Journal smart phone usage has grown so much that Google is now tracking more than 100 million "ad requests" a day in South Korea.
In the study, Google found that nearly 60% of people using mobile devices accessed the internet on their handset at least five times a day. And 35% said they spend more time online via a mobile device like a smartphone or tablet PC than they do watching TV. That seems startlingly high, but TV watching is reduced for many South Koreans by long working hours, after-work outings and lengthy commutes.