---
title: "Unplug, Log On"
description: "A majority of Americans have logged onto the internet with a wireless connection."
date: "2009-08-03"
authors:
  - name: "Russell Heimlich"
    job_title: "Former web developer"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2009/08/03/unplug-log-on/"
---

# Unplug, Log On

While only a few years ago internet users were tied to their Ethernet cables, today a majority of Americans (56%) have logged on to the Web from a wireless device. Roughly a third have used the internet from a mobile device (such as a cell phone) and 19% did so yesterday. In December 2007, only a quarter of Americans (24%) had gone online with a mobile device. Four-in-ten have used wireless internet via a laptop computer, while small percentages have used gadgets such as PDAs (7%) and game consoles (9%) to go online. Of those using mobile devices, 50% say it is very important to have mobile internet access to stay in touch with other people and 46% say their mobile access is very important so they can get information on the go. [Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/pubs/1287/wireless-internet-use-mobile-access)