Some 2.9 million people in the UK regularly access the internet from a mobile device – just six per cent of the adult population – according to research from Point Topic.

The biggest barrier to widespread mobile web access remains the high per-megabyte cost of sending and receiving data over cellular networks, though the European Commission is putting pressure on mobile operators to cut tariffs.

The study also cites poor usability because of small screens, restricted battery life and tiny keys that hamper data input as reasons not to access the internet from mobile devices such as handheld PCs and smartphones.

“On the whole [users] are young, well paid, well educated and they own a much wider range of consumer goods than average, particularly digital devices of all kinds,” said Point Topic analyst Oliver Johnson.

Of the 2,000 UK residents Point Topic surveyed, 62 per cent said they might be interested in using one or more mobile application in the future.