Cellphone Use Survey: Voice Still Most Important

Just over half of 5,000 US adults (51%) responding to a recent cellphone use survey would think about switching mobile service providers if signal quality was poor, according to new market research results from Global Wireless Solutions (GWS).

Results also revealed that voice calls were the most important aspect of the mobile telecommunication experience for end users. Nearly twice as many Americans said they couldn’t live without making or receiving voice calls as compared to text messages or data. 41% of survey respondents said voice calling was the one mobile service they couldn’t live without. Sending and receiving texts followed at 21%. Taking photos ranked third, e-mail service fourth, and sending/receiving photos fifth.

Rounding out the top 10: Internet browsing came sixth, Using social networking apps or sites seventh, Navigation apps/services eighth, Playing music ninth, and Sending/receiving instant message tenth. More than 4 in 10 respondents (43%) consider Internet access on par with utility services such as water and power. Moreover, 35% said they rely on their mobile devices as their primary means of accessing online services and information given their limited means.