Cell phones are nearly ubiquitous in America in 2010, with 86% of all adults owning one — including 94% of 18-29 year olds, 93% of 30-49 year olds, 86% of 50-64 year olds, and 66% of those aged 65 and older — according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Blacks (86%) and Hispanics (85%) are nearly as likely as Whites (87%) to own a cell phone. Those who receive a cell phone bill (not coupled with other telecom services) spend an average of $92 a month.
Texting Vs. Talking
Americans are nearly as likely to use their mobile phone for texting as for talking, according to Nielsen Company. Women spend an average of 14.3 hours a month talking on their cell phones, and they send and receive an average of 601 text messages. Men spend an average of 11.1 hours a month talking on their cells, and they send and receive an average of 447 text messages.
Young cell phone owners are leading the way in the text revolution, with 18-24 year olds out-texting 25-34 year olds by nearly two-to-one (1,299 vs. 592 text messages). They spend nearly an equal amount of time talking on the phone, with 18-24 year olds averaging 16.4 hours a month, compared to 15.9 hours for 25-34 year olds.
Emerging majorities outpace Whites in both talk time and text messaging:
• Blacks spend nearly 22 hours a month talking and send or receive 780 text messages.
• Hispanics spend more than 14 hours a month talking and send or receive 767 text messages.
• Asians spend more than 11 hours a month talking and send or receive 384 text messages.
• Whites spend nearly 11 hours a month talking and send or receive 566 text messages.
Other Phone Activities
Calling and text messaging dominates Americans’ cell phone usage. However, the FCC notes a significant portion of cell phone owners use their devices for other tasks, such as:
• Sending or receiving pictures (52%);
• Sending or receiving instant messages (28%);
• Accessing the Internet (28%);
• Looking at a map or getting directions (27%);
• Sending or receiving email (26%);
• Downloading an application (20%);
• Downloading or streaming music (17%).
Cell phone owners under age 50 are much more likely than those aged 50 and older to use their cell phones for tasks aside from typical communications. Blacks and Hispanics are more likely than Whites to use their phones for non-communication activities. The researchers suggest emerging majorities are more active on their cell phones because such usage is more typical of younger cell phone owners, and the emerging majority population has a younger average age than Whites.
Cell phone owners who use their devices to access the Internet primarily do so as an additional way to go online rather than as a substitution for home Internet access. Of those who use the mobile Internet, 91% have Internet access at home, and 84% have broadband access. Among those who do not have home access, Hispanics (25%) are more likely than Americans overall (14%) to use mobile Internet as a replacement.
Mobile Shopping
Some 6% of cell phone users access retail websites from their devices, as do 16% of smartphone owners, finds comScore. One in ten smartphone owners (10%) have bought physical items via their devices, with those who made a purchase spending an average of $121 in the prior three months. Smartphone owners also buy digital content via their devices, most commonly music (17%, spending an average of $19 a month), games (17%, spending an average of $24 a month), and applications (14%, spending an average of $10 a month). [Telecommunications, Online]
Sources: “Broadband Adoption And Use In America,” FCC, John Horrigan, Consumer Research Director, 445 12th St. SW, Washington, DC 20554; 202-415-1553; john.horrigan@fcc.gov; www.fcc.gov. Price: Available online at no charge.
“Mobile Usage Data,” Nielsen Company, Chris Quick, Mobile Media Analyst, 700 Broadway, New York, NY 10003; 646-654-5000; www.nielsen.com. Price: Call for information.
“State Of The Online U.S. Retail Economy,” comScore, Gian Fulgoni, Chairman, 11465 Sunset Hills Rd., #200, Reston, VA 20190; 202-438-2000; gfulgoni@comscore.com; www.comscore.com. Price: Call for information.
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