iTWire Technology Feature - 
TAG | The rise and rise of mobile data usage |
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| by Alex Zaharov-Reutt | |
| Friday, 18 April 2008 | |
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Page 1 of 4 The m.Net and University of Adelaide study notes that: “It has taken a while, but mobile data services (MDS) use is now disseminating beyond a small number of high level users to the wider market, according to the Wireless data services study 2007.” The study is done on an annual, international basis, and “investigates mobile phone user engagement beyond voice and looks at the current type and levels of MDS, the influencing factors and barriers to the use of MDS, and the use of MDS across global markets.” MDS is defined as “all of the digital data services that you access through your mobile phone excluding voice calls”. As you’d imagine, this includes “purchasing, communications, information and entertainment.” Unsurprisingly, the study found MDS is an important factor in the choice of carriers and handsets. Clearly it would be a very important factor based on cost, the absence (or presence) of roaming charges, the speed of the network and the speeds each handset is capable of - think of the Nokia N95, the Apple iPhone, and other high-end models from Sony Ericsson, Samsung, LG and others. Dr Marisa Maio Mackay, Director of Research, m.Net Corporation confirms this by saying that: “Cost is still a key barrier to the use of MDS, but there is certainly starting to be a change in mindset, and the masses are starting to come on board with MDS.” Dr Mackay continues: “MDS wasn’t even on the radar 12-18 months ago, but it’s becoming an influencing factor in not only the measure of carrier satisfaction, but also in what would encourage consumers to change carrier if they had better MDS offerings. Overall, 60% of respondents consider MDS a reason to change carrier.” This statement vindicates, in my mind at least, the efforts of some carriers to dramatically lower the cost of mobile data, with high costs a clear and obvious impediment to MDS uptake before now. Dr Mackay also notes that better features on phones are also important, giving the example that: “The usability of the handset is also becoming more important to consumers (80% of respondents wanted a larger screen, for example). This sets the groundwork for the use of the phone beyond voice and SMS.” So, what about MDS usage at home, where Internet connected computers are available? And what are some surprises? Please read onto page 2. |
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