Use of cell phones is increasing and traditional landline telephone coverage is decreasing. In fact, one in five U.S. adults do not have a landline -- only 79 percent currently do. One in seven adults now uses only their mobile phone.
Furthermore, while the use of wireless phones among younger segments of the population has been widely reported, the technology is becoming increasingly popular among older populations as well. Remarkably, about half of U.S. adults who only use a cell phone are 30 or over. One-third of 18 to 29 year olds only use a cell phone or the Internet for making phone calls.
The implication: young consumers may never embrace a traditional telco business model.
These are some of the results of a special analysis of four surveys conducted online by Harris Interactive. In total 9,132 adults were surveyed in this comprehensive market study. This data was then weighted where necessary to bring it into line with the total population.
The Harris market study found the following:
- Almost nine in ten (89 percent) of adults have a wireless or cell phone. This represents a significant increase from 77 percent in 2006 when The Harris Poll conducted a similar analysis.
- Almost eight in ten (79 percent) adults say that they have a landline phone. This is down slightly from 81 percent in 2006.
- About one is six (15 percent) of adults use the Internet, sometimes referred to as VoIP or Voice over IP, to make telephone calls. This is basically unchanged from 16 percent in 2006.
- Three-quarters (75 percent) of U.S. adults are using multiple approaches to making telephone calls. This is a substantial increase from 67 percent in 2006.
- Fourteen percent are only using their cell phone (up from 11 percent in 2006).
- Just 9 percent (down from 18 percent in 2006) of U.S. adults only use a landline phone.
- Six percent are only using a cell phone and VoIP.
Furthermore, while the use of wireless phones among younger segments of the population has been widely reported, the technology is becoming increasingly popular among older populations as well. Remarkably, about half of U.S. adults who only use a cell phone are 30 or over. One-third of 18 to 29 year olds only use a cell phone or the Internet for making phone calls.
The implication: young consumers may never embrace a traditional telco business model.
These are some of the results of a special analysis of four surveys conducted online by Harris Interactive. In total 9,132 adults were surveyed in this comprehensive market study. This data was then weighted where necessary to bring it into line with the total population.
The Harris market study found the following:
- Almost nine in ten (89 percent) of adults have a wireless or cell phone. This represents a significant increase from 77 percent in 2006 when The Harris Poll conducted a similar analysis.
- Almost eight in ten (79 percent) adults say that they have a landline phone. This is down slightly from 81 percent in 2006.
- About one is six (15 percent) of adults use the Internet, sometimes referred to as VoIP or Voice over IP, to make telephone calls. This is basically unchanged from 16 percent in 2006.
- Three-quarters (75 percent) of U.S. adults are using multiple approaches to making telephone calls. This is a substantial increase from 67 percent in 2006.
- Fourteen percent are only using their cell phone (up from 11 percent in 2006).
- Just 9 percent (down from 18 percent in 2006) of U.S. adults only use a landline phone.
- Six percent are only using a cell phone and VoIP.