Research Firm Announces New Data Assessing Viability of Wi-Fi-based Mobile Phone Service Plans

Parks Associates released new research at Mobile World Congress today showing that almost 70% of U.S. broadband households express interest in Wi-Fi-based mobile service plans if such plans can save them money. Among those having no interest, 38% perceive that Wi-Fi connections are unsafe and their data would be vulnerable to hacking. Nearly 40% aren’t interested because they are satisfied with their current mobile phone plan.

“Mobile consumers are always looking for reliable service coverage, faster data speeds, and a service plan with the best value,” said Harry Wang, Director, Health & Mobile Product Research, Parks Associates. “Wi-Fi-based mobile service plans provide consumers with alternatives to 3G/4G services, and mobile operators need to look out for disruptors.”

Inhibitors among U.S. Broadband Households with No Interest in Wi-Fi-based Mobile Services

Wang will attend Mobile World Congress this week in Barcelona, Spain, and Parks Associates is supporting the event.

“Despite substantial consumer interest, Wi-Fi-based mobile phone services need to overcome significant hurdles, specifically the fears of data insecurity. Consumers are also worried about the inconvenience of searching for Wi-Fi hotspots and experiencing gaps in public Wi-Fi coverage,” Wang said. “At MWC, we expect to see roadmaps from leading mobile operators to build better next-generation networks with mixed use of Wi-Fi, small-cell, and 4G/Pre-5G cellular technologies to launch both consumer and enterprise mobility services.”

360 View: Mobility and the App Economy also shows:

  • Smartphone penetration has reached 86% of U.S. broadband households.
  • 39% of smartphone owners use some sort of voice recognition software such as Siri or Google Now.
  • 36% of smartphone users use Wi-Fi calling.

 

Parks Associates is hosting CONNECTIONS™: The Premier Connected Home Conference, May 24-26, in San Francisco. For information on Parks Associates’ research, visit www.parksassociates.com. To schedule an interview with Harry Wang or to request specific data, contact Holly Sprague at hsprague@gmail.com, 720.987.6614.

 

About Parks Associates

Parks Associates is a global research, consulting, and marketing firm with 40 years of experience delivering proprietary consumer data and industry insights for businesses. The firm produces market research reports, forecasts, surveys, and competitive business intelligence on connected consumer, small business, and commercial technologies and related business solutions. Parks Associates provides custom research, strategic consulting, and forward-looking analysis across connected home, small business, and commercial markets, including security, smart home, broadband, entertainment, energy, multifamily, smart buildings, connected health, and emerging AI-driven technologies.

Parks Associates supports industry growth through proprietary research, consulting, and executive networking and convenes thousands of leaders each year through its flagship conferences, including CONNECTIONS™, Connected Health Summit, Smart Energy Summit, Smart Spaces, and Future of Video. Learn more at https://www.parksassociates.com.

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