Surprising New 3G “Killer App”; Compatible Handsets Now the Key Ingredient
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., October 11, 2006 -
After years of eagerly anticipating video would be the “killer application” for 3G, a new survey from In-Stat (http://www.in-stat.com) finds that existing and potential 3G customers are much more interested in high-quality mapping and navigation services. However, 3G carriers that want to capture that market will have to expand the availability of compatible handsets.
“Expanding the number of Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) or Assisted-GPS (A-GPS) handsets from today’s levels will be an important step for 3G carriers to provide the applications their customers really want,” says David Chamberlain, In-Stat analyst. “Unfortunately, technology choices left over from the 1990s make this difficult but carriers and handset vendors are starting to provide an increasing flow of products that better meet the 3G customers’ needs.”
In addition, the In-Stat report “3G and Mobile Multimedia,” based on a survey of over 1,000 mobile users, found the following:
Current 3G users are very enthusiastic about the service, which is in marked contrast with other customers who have expressed dissatisfaction with premium applications.
Customer awareness of 3G is not particularly strong, with over half the respondents indicating they don’t know whether their carrier offers 3G.
An unprecedented number of respondents—nearly half—indicated that they would consider changing carriers in order to get 3G.
Recent In-Stat research, In-Depth Analysis: 3G and Mobile Multimedia (#IN0602911MCM), covers carrier initiatives and marketing of 3G services in North America, Europe and Asia, and includes the results of In-Stat’s survey of North American mobile phone users. The report explores the survey’s results to gauge users’ awareness of 3G, particularly their own carrier’s 3G plans; Uptake of 3G services, both to the handset and using a 3G wireless modem with a laptop computer; and Interest in a variety of applications that have been considered important to 3G’s future.
For more information on this research or to purchase it online, please visit:
http://www.instat.com/catalog/Wcatalogue.asp?id=231
or contact a sales representative:
Eastern North America: Tina Sheltra, 480.609.4531; tina.sheltra@reedbusiness.com
Western North America: Erin McKeighan, 480.609.4551; emckeighan@reedbusiness.com
Outside of North America:
http://www.instat.com/sales.asp
The price is $3,495 (US).
This research is part of In-Stat’s Mobile Consumer Service, which integrates primary end-user research, strategic industry analysis, technology assessment, and applied econometrics to provide a unique 360-degree view of the US consumer market for mobile wireless services. It examines the US market for wireless data and multimedia applications, including SMS, MMS, mobile gaming, location-based services, downloadable content, mobile video and music, and wireless Internet services. It also provides a complete market view by combining analysis of technology trends and consumer behavior, including tracking and forecasting of wireless data spending by segment.
Other In-Stat research about interest in mobile data includes “Consumers are Warming to Mobile Multimedia” (http://www.instat.com/abstract.asp?id=231&SKU=IN0602910MCM). In addition, “Business Demand for Wireless Voice and Data Services in the US” (http://www.instat.com/abstract.asp?id=229&SKU=IN0602899MBM) includes information about a broad range of business mobility services including voice and data spending by size of business, penetration of mobile computing devices and interest in applications such as mobile email.
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In-Stat’s market intelligence combines technical, market and end-user research and database models to analyze the Mobile Internet and Digital Entertainment ecosystems. Our insights are derived from a deep understanding of technology impacts, nearly 30 years of history in research and consulting, and direct relationships with leading players in each of our core markets. In-Stat provides its research through reports, annual subscriptions, consulting and advisory services to inform critical decisions. Technology and semiconductor vendors, infrastructure and device manufacturers, service providers and media companies worldwide rely on partnerships with In-Stat’s tenured, experienced staff and on our in-depth market intelligence to support critical business, product and technology decisions.
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