What’s Wrong with This Picture?

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – June 30, 2006 – Wireless Service Providers apparently are not convincing subscribers to send pictures and videos with their cell phone. Among mobile users 39 percent have used text messaging; less than half that number, or 18 percent have sent pictures, and only three percent have tried sending video clips. Over half (58%) of mobile users state they have not used any of these services.

Surprisingly, cost is not the biggest obstacle to using these services, as only 19 percent of those who say they do not use any of the services cite that as a reason. Interestingly, the majority (73%) of those who have not used these services just don’t see a need to.

"The ability to send pictures and videos over your cell phone is a lot like owning a pet rock," states Joe Porus, Chief Architect and Vice President for the Technology Practice at Harris Interactive^®. "At first it might seem like a good idea, but then the ‘why?’ enters your mind. Wireless marketers are facing a brick wall of resistance from many subscribers respecting these services. The wall is not cost, but a more fundamental question of need."

Below are some of the results of the Harris Interactive Summer 2006 Telecommunications Report titled "Hot Issues Facing the Industry." The study was conducted online from May 1 to May 8, 2006 by Harris Interactive among 1,332 U.S. adults, of whom 960 are current mobile phone users.

When it comes to the use of text and picture messaging, text messaging is used substantially more by users aged 18 to 39, compared to their older counter parts. While about one-third (32%) of young people use picture messaging, more than two-thirds (69%) of mobile users 18 to 39 years use text-messaging services. Contrastingly, only 35 percent of mobile users aged 40 to 54 have used text messaging. An even smaller number (13%) of them have used picture messaging. This number decreases even more with mobile users aged 55 and over, with 14 percent use text messaging and only eight percent using picture messaging.

Most notable is the lack of the video messaging use, which is substantially low across the board in all age groups. Very small percentages of younger adults have not used this service with only four percent of those aged 18 to 39 saying they have used video clip messaging, and only two percent of adults ages 40 to 54 and those aged 55 and older stating they have used this service.

There are several factors that may impact a decision to use these services, but the majority just does not see a need (73%). Other factors such as cost (19%), lack of knowledge (14%), played a slightly smaller role. Others say the services are too complicated (8%) or say there was some "other" (5%) reason.

"Which of the following messaging services have you used?"

Base: Current mobile phone user

Note: Multiple response question.

"Which of the following messaging services have you used?"

Base: Current mobile phone user

Note: Multiple response question.

"Why have you not used any of the messaging services?"

Base: Don’t use messaging services

Note: Multiple response question.

This online survey was conducted online within the United States between May 1 to 8, 2006 among 1,332 adults (aged 18 and over). Sub-samples are listed in the tables above. Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online.

All surveys are subject to several sources of error. These include: sampling error (because only a sample of a population is interviewed); measurement error due to question wording and/or question order, deliberately or unintentionally inaccurate responses, nonresponse (including refusals), interviewer effects (when live interviewers are used) and weighting.

With one exception (sampling error) the magnitude of the errors that result cannot be estimated. There is, therefore, no way to calculate a finite "margin of error" for any survey and the use of these words should be avoided.

With pure probability samples, with 100 percent response rates, it is possible to calculate the probability that the sampling error (but not other sources of error) is not greater than some number. With a pure probability sample of 1,332 adults one could say with a ninety-five percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/-3 percentage points. Sampling error for subsample results would be higher and varied. However that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

Harris Interactive is the 13^th largest and fastest-growing market research firm in the world. The company provides research-driven insights and strategic advice to help its clients make more confident decisions which lead to measurable and enduring improvements in performance. Harris Interactive is widely known for The Harris Poll, one of the longest running, independent opinion polls and for pioneering online market research methods. The company has built what could conceivably be the world’s largest panel of survey respondents, the Harris Poll Online. Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe and Asia offices, its wholly-owned subsidiary Novatris in France and through a global network of independent market research firms. The service bureau, HISB, provides its market research industry clients with mixed-mode data collection, panel development services as well as syndicated and tracking research consultation. More information about Harris Interactive may be obtained at www.harrisinteractive.com

To become a member of the Harris Poll Online, visit www.harrispollonline.com.

Jennifer Cummings
Harris Interactive
585-214-7720