Category: Mobile usage

The universe of smart connected devices, including PCs, media tablets, and smartphones, saw shipments of more than 916 mln units and revenues surpassing $489 bln dollars in 2011, according to IDC. Unit shipments for smart connected devices should top 1.1 bln worldwide in 2012. By 2016, IDC predicts shipments will reach 1.84 bln units, more than double the 2011 figure, as consumers and business of all shapes and sizes around the world are showing a nearly insatiable appetite for smart connected devices. This works out to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.4% for the five-year forecast period.

According to Mobile Entertainment Forum, the global mobile entertainment industry is now worth some $32 bln. According to KPMG, the industry also remains confident that it can continue to grow strongly despite the current economic challenges, predicting average revenue growth of 28% for 2010.

The market of mobile financial services to poor people in emerging markets will surge from nothing to $5 bln in 2012, CGAP said.

Two out of five Americans with contract-based cell phones (39% or 60.3 mln consumers) are likely to cut back on their cell phones to save money if, as is widely expected, the economy gets worse over the next six months, according to Opinion Research Corporation (ORC) for the New Millennium Research Council (NMRC).

26% of consumers with contract-based cell phone service are more inclined today than 6 months ago to look at a way to save money on their cell phone bill, such as by switching to prepaid phone plans and services. This group includes 38% of those in households making $35,000 a year or less, 32% of African Americans and 30% of those aged 18-34. A total of 19 mln Americans have considered cutting back (5%) or actually have cut back (15%) on such features in the last six months because of actual job loss, fear of job loss, the recession, or any other related financial concerns. More than two out of five cell phone users with extras on their phones (41%) say it is very (19%) or somewhat (21%) likely that they will cut back on cell phone extras if the economy gets worse in the next six months. Fewer than two in five (39%) say it is not likely at all that they will make such cuts in the face of a deepening recession.

Indian mobile operators added a record 15.64 mln customers in March 2009, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India said. The mobile subscriber base in India rose by 50%, or more than 130 mln, to 391.8 mln.

Wireless-only households made up 14.7% of US households in 2007. Wireless-only adults made up 13.6% of U.S. adults in 2007. State-level estimates ranged from 5.1% (Vermont) to 26.2% (Oklahoma) of households and from 4.0% (Delaware) to 25.1% (Oklahoma) of adults. 25.4% of adults living in the District of Columbia were wireless-only, Center for Disease Control says.

Other states with a high prevalence of wireless-only households include Utah (25.5%), Nebraska (23.2%), Arkansas (22.6%), Idaho (22.1%), and Iowa (22.2%). Other states with a low prevalence of wireless-only households include Connecticut (5.6%), Delaware (5.7%), South Dakota (6.4%), Rhode Island (7.9%), New Jersey (8.0%), and Hawaii (8.0%).

By the end of 2008 there were an estimated 4.1 bln cell phone subscriptions globally, compared with about 1 bln in 2002, the International Telecommunication Union said. Fixed line subscriptions increased at a much slower pace to 1.27 bln from about 1 bln over the same period.

Downloads, 000	November 2007	November 2008	Growth, YTY
Smartphones	734	2,869	291%
Non-Smartphones	6,486	5,593	-14%
Total	7,220	8,463	17%
Source: comScore

Activity	Audience, 000	Reach	Growth, %
Sent/received photos or videos	63,736	27.7	5.6
Received SMS ads	54,922	23.9	8.2
Accessed news/info via browser	41,894	18.2	9.7
Used email	38,370	16.7	6.3
Listened to music	21,006	9.1	8.5
Accessed social networking sites	20,668	9.0	14.2
Played downloaded game	20,468	8.9	6.1
Purchased ringtones	19,556	8.5	-1.1
Accessed downloaded application	18,337	8.0	15.8
Watched Video	7,523	3.3	+5.6
Source: comScore

Push to Talk (PTT), the mobile phone feature that enables users to connect virtually instantaneously with other users, is forecast to find its way into 8.5% of the North American market by year-end 2013, but in no other world region will it even begin to approach that market share, ABI Research says.

GSM Association reported 4 bln mobile connections were active by year-end 2008, and forecast further growth to 6 bln by 2013.

In Australia, 48% said they use their phones in the bathroom. In Taiwan and China the same answer was given by 68 and 66%, respectively. 6% of all respondents said they have taken a call on their phones during a funeral, 10% have done so inside a place of worship and 16% admit to answering their cells while engaging in physical relations, Microsoft Australia found.

Global mobile phone market will shrink 9% in 2009, its first decline since 2001 and with the first half set to be especially grim, Strategy Analytics said.

By 2013, there will be over 140 mln U.S. consumers paying for mobile broadband, which will extend video, communication, networking, and support services to all sorts of devices. Parks Associates forecasts 4.5 bln mobile phone users worldwide by 2013, with many people using these devices as gateways for entertainment services, community information, and social networking. The increasing importance of the mobile phone will affect other product and service sectors. For example, over 100 mln femtocells will be shipped worldwide in 2013, cumulatively serving over 300 mln subscribers.