Mobile Data Services Popular in Austria

The subject of mobile working becomes more and more important for Austrian small to medium businesses. A report compiled by the GSM operator, ONE show that 23% of companies employing mobile phones also use them for mobile data transmission. The most frequently used applications are the mobile sending and receiving of e-mails as well as surfing the internet. The survey of satisfaction with mobile data services also rendered positive results. 75% of all mobile workers are highly or rather satisfied. The big interest of non-users is also highly surprising: more than one in five companies without mobile data transmission is interested in it.

People who believe that the success factor of mobility has not taken hold of Austrian companies yet are mistaken. Quite on the contrary: 50% of Austrian companies already use mobile phones, smart phones, laptops und PDAs also for mobile data transmission. Integral, on behalf of ONE interviewed about 300 Austrian companies, investigates user behaviour as well as attitudes of both users and non-users on this topic.

23% of companies which use mobile phones in their daily work also use them for mobile data transmission. 69% of all companies with laptops, PDAs and smart phones use these devices for mobile data transmission. A high preference for mobile work via handset, laptop and PDA has been discerned among ONE business customers (30% of ONE customers interviewed). By looking at individual sectors, service sectors such as retail are among the most frequent users.

The most popular applications are mobile e-mail and mobile Internet: 83% of all companies with mobile data transmission send e-mails, 75% surf the internet. About every other company with mobile data transmission uses this technology also for accessing data on the company server. In one in three companies with mobile data transmission, it serves for the synchronisation of appointments; in this case mobile phones play a proportionally bigger role than laptops.

More than one in five companies without mobile data transfer is interested in it, a very high interest was identified in one in ten companies. In this case the applications of mobile e-mail and mobile internet also play the biggest part. While the advantages of e-mails are considered positive by 48%, only 33% value surfing the internet. Among all companies saving time as well as easy and convenient use are particularly appreciated. Nonetheless, there are still reservations regarding cost and data security.

In general, non-users are more sceptical with regard to advantages than actual users. Companies which have already tested mobile data transmission know that the possibility to save time, enhance productivity as well as the aspect of security constitute important success factors."

Posted to the site on 20th September 2005