The online video phenomenon YouTube announced Wednesday that it hopes to launch a service for wireless devices within a year.

At the OgilvyOne digital advertising summit in New York, the firm’s executive and co-founder, Chad Hurley said delivering video to wireless devices was an important step and a huge opportunity. “It’s a natural transition,” Hurley said.

Earlier this year YouTube announced its YouTube to go service which allows users to upload video clips from their mobiles to the service.

In October search giant Google announced it would buy YouTube for $1.65bn (£870m).

Mobile operator 3 UK already offers users a video clip download service via SeeMeTV which a spokesman described as “very popular indeed”. 3 says its service attracts more than a million downloads a month at between 10 and 20 pence a go. The spokesman said: “We welcome YouTube’s entry into this market. We welcome any moves that will help to grow it.”