IDC and SMS.ac to Provide Survey Data and Analysis on Mobility Trends in Near Real-Time

SMS.ac will survey its community members and IDC will analyze, interpret, and report the results. The compiled data on the attitudes and behaviors of mobile handset users from around the world will be utilized by enterprises seeking to predict future trends and consumer preferences and spending habits before forging and executing key mobile strategies.

“Obtaining data from a large sample group is a significant accomplishment, but it is the analysis of the data that will guide companies toward successful market strategies,” said Greg Wilfahrt, executive vice president at SMS.ac. “In terms of understanding and interpreting global market data, IDC is unsurpassed. Their ability to track and predict trends and behavior, coupled with on-demand access to consumer attitudes and preferences, makes this survey partnership between SMS.ac and IDC a must have for anyone seeking a deep understanding of mobile usage trends."

In the first SMS.ac-IDC survey, mobile phone users were asked about their attitudes regarding the potential use of mobile phones by passengers on airplanes in the future. Nearly two-thirds of the 45,612 respondents replied that they would welcome in-flight phone use, but not for voice calls. And 25% of poll participants did not want mobile phones used aboard planes at all.

In a related survey, 52,564 registered SMS.ac users weighed in on which wireless data services they would use most while in flight. Over half the participants answered that they would use their handsets for messaging (texting, email, etc.), while other popular uses included multi-player games (11%); meeting others during flight (9%); purchasing items via sky magazines or from other sources (7%) and gambling (6%).