Half of consumers would substitute internet access via a PC for the mobile internet, highlighting the huge opportunities for firms and content developers to cash in on the mobile web phenomenon, according to new research from IBM.

The survey of 600 consumers globally found that communication, travel and navigation applications, along with news and information services, are expected to increase significantly in popularity and usage over the mobile internet.

Ten per cent of respondents already access the internet from a mobile device at least once a day, but over two-thirds said that they expect to increase their usage by at least 40 per cent in three years' time.

To stimulate uptake in the mobile internet, mobile developers and content providers are urged to clearly define their mobile strategies and gain greater insight into consumer behaviour.

"We will not have a [long wait] for innovative applications," said Christian Seider, electronics industry thought leader at IBM. "There are lots of mobile apps on the way but they need to be better integrated with the devices so that users can easily access services."