The calendar shows 2004, and mobile data use is finally going mainstream in the U.S. as the majority of consumers acquire a taste for using one or more wireless data services.
With 54% of In-Stat/MDR's Consumer Mobility Study respondents currently using one or more wireless data services, the high-tech market research firm believes wireless data in the United States has made it to prime time. In addition, other results from the firm's survey demonstrate very few notable differences between basic demographic characteristics of wireless data users and those of non-data users, indicating that mobile data usage is now a mainstream phenomenon across multiple demographic groups.
Pointing out the differences between data users and non-data users, Clint Wheelock, director of In-Stat/MDR's wireless group, said In-Stat/MDR had found that wireless data customers use 42% more voice minutes than non-data users, in addition to spending an average of 19% more on their total wireless bill each month and 64% more on their current handset.
The research firm also found that SMS appears to be the leader among mobile data services used by survey respondents; however, Internet access services, ringtones and mobile games all had strong showings.
Also according to the survey, national wireless carriers are on a relatively even plane with respect to wireless data adoption. Verizon Wireless, AT&T Wireless, Cingular Wireless and Sprint PCS are evenly represented both among mobile data subscribers and non-data users. Meanwhile, T-Mobile and Nextel show strength with a relatively higher take rate of data services among their customers.
Responses also indicated a greater-than-average adoption of wireless data usage among ethnic minorities, particularly Asian Americans and Hispanic Americans.
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