Internet access in Hong Kong has become near-ubiquitous, as 87 percent of consumers there have used the Internet in the past year, outpacing neighboring markets like Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia. Internet usage in Hong Kong is particularly high among 12- to 44-year-olds with over nine-in-ten accessing the Internet on a monthly basis.

While Internet usage is moving toward maturity and online activities are ingrained in consumers’ everyday lives, a new dimension is rapidly expanding—that of Internet-capable mobile devices, including smartphones, tablet computers, eBook readers, connected games devices or other hybrid forms likely to emerge in the near future. The upcoming year’s anticipated surge of mobile device ownership, particularly smartphones, will have a profound impact on the digital behavior of Hong Kong consumers.

Mobile Application – The Rising Trend
Almost nine-in-ten (86%) Hong Kong digital consumers who have accessed the Internet via their mobile phones have downloaded an app (application) to their phones. And following the footprint of smartphones, tablets are another potential game changer, but the larger screen size is attracting a slightly different pattern of behavior.

On-demand, anytime, anywhere access to the Internet is also impacting social media use, which has revolutionized the way consumers communicate, share information, entertain themselves and others, socialize, form relationships and source information. Social media has provided more customer touch points, more methods of content and communication distribution and more information about customers and their preferences.