Three-quarters (74%) of American adults say they currently subscribe to wireless (cell or mobile) telephone service, more than those who say they currently subscribe to wireline (landline) service (58%). About one-quarter (24%) of cell phone users consider the cell phone their primary means of communication, and two in five (41%) say their cell phone provides them with a sense of personal security.
These are some of the results of a nationwide online survey of 1,125 U.S. adults conducted by Harris Interactive between August 9 and 14, 2006.
Of note, in April 2005, one in ten (9%) U.S. adults said that they had abandoned their wireline telephone service completely in favor of using their wireless phone exclusively. At that time, another five percent said that they were seriously considering this and would switch within a year, and forty-seven percent said that they were somewhat considering it. Currently, approximately 13 percent of U.S. adults use only a cell phone or plan to do so within the next six months.
"Ma Bell could become a name for Trivial Pursuit before you know it," said Joe Porus, Vice President and Chief Architect for Harris Interactive. "More and more consumers are cutting the cord and going wireless only. Ultimately consumers see wireless as a more convenient, cost effective and personal form of communication."
More than half (55%) of those who plan to use only a cell phone six months from now say this is because they like the flexibility that a cell phone offers, while 30 percent say that their wireless plan is actually less expensive than their wireline phone plan.
Prohibitive factors
Despite the high percentage of current cell phone users, many adults are reluctant to discontinue their wireline service and go exclusively with wireless or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service. Thirty-seven percent (37%) of those keeping wireline say it is because wireline service works even when the power is out. Other key reasons cited for keeping wireline service are to have the ability to call local 911 (31%), followed by excellent network reliability/no dropped calls (31%) and ability to always get a dial tone (25%). This indicates that despite the advances in technology, some people like the security of the traditional phone company.
Which of the following types of telecommunications services do you currently subscribe to?
| Wireless telephone (cell or mobile phone) | 74% |
| Wireline telephone (landline) | 58% |
| Internet service (Broadband, Cable, High speed DSL) | 58% |
| Cable TV | 53% |
| Internet service (Dial-up connection) | 36% |
| Satellite TV | 27% |
| VoIP (Digital phone, Internet phone, Vonage) | 5% |
| None of these | 2% |
Which, if any, telephone services do you plan to use six months from now?
| Wireless telephone (cell or mobile phone) | 74% |
| Wireline telephone (landline) | 66% |
| Internet phone (VoIP) | 10% |
| None of these | 11% |
| Not sure | 11% |
Note: Multiple-response question. Those who said wireless telephone but not wireline telephone = 13% of all adults.
You just mentioned that you plan to use only a cell phone 6 months from now. What are your reasons for doing so?
| I like the flexibility that a wireless phone provides. | 55% |
| My wireless plan is actually less expensive than my wireline phone plan. | 30% |
| I'm not home often enough to use a wireline phone. | 29% |
| Other phone services are too expensive. | 17% |
| I like the additional features that come with wireless phones. | 16% |
| Customer service for my wireless provider is more helpful than for my wireline phone service provider. | 5% |
| None of these. | 12% |
What is stopping you from discontinuing your Wireline service and going exclusively with wireless (cellular) or VoIP service?"
| Works even when the power is out | 37% |
| I want the ability to call local 911 | 31% |
| Excellent network reliability/ no dropped calls | 31% |
| Always able to get a dial tone | 25% |
| Does not require new equipment | 20% |
| Service provided by a company I know and trust | 19% |
| Excellent voice quality | 18% |
| I like to be sure my phone calls are private | 18% |
| Other phone services are too expensive | 15% |
| Works with my current phones | 15% |
| A variety of local plans to meet my needs | 9% |
| Better customer service | 9% |
| A variety of long distance plans to meet my needs | 9% |
| Can easily obtain listings from Directory Assistance | 6% |
| Can receive collect calls | 6% |
| Other phone services are too complicated | 4% |
| None of these | 10% |
Since wireless phones have become more reliable and coverage has improved as well, would you consider disconnecting your traditional phone and using a wireless phone exclusively?
| I have already switched | 9% |
| I am considering it seriously. I plan to switch within one year | 5% |
| I am somewhat considering it | 47% |
| I would never switch | 39% |
This online survey was conducted within the United States between August 9 and 14, 2006 among 1,125 adults (aged 18 and over), of whom 857 currently subscribe to wireless telephone service."
Posted to the site on 9th October 2006
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/19762.php