*Mobile Phones Are a Necessity for Many Chinese, But Charges Are Too High
(5/21/99) A recent survey in China revealed that mobile phones are
fast becoming an everyday necessity in China, even though the
overwhelming majority think changes are in order for the current fee
structure, the May Zhongguo Baoxian Bao (China Insurance News)
reported. The Social Survey and Investigation Office of China (SSIC)
conducted the survey.
Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed (76.2%) said a mobile phone
is a necessary part of everyday life, mostly due to its convenience.
Others said that phones improve job efficiency (61.5%) and make it
easier to keep in touch with family and friends (38.5%). Over 18% of
the respondents said they bought a mobile phone to enhance their
personal status and create a better personal image. A little more
than 5% said they carry a mobile phone to be more fashionable.
The largest demand for mobile phones in China is from 25 - 35 year
olds who have a monthly income more than RMB 2,000
(US$241.84), according to the results of the survey.
Mobile phone buyers typically look for quality, functions, price,
exterior appearance, brand name, and after-sale service. Quality was
most important (87.5%), while a phone's functionality came in
second (71.7%). Price, surprisingly, came in as the third most
important consideration (67.3%) when buying a phone, according to
the survey.
More than half of the respondents said that appearance was an
important factor when buying a phone, and a bit under half said they
"care a lot" about the brand name of a mobile phone. After-sales
service was a distant thought, with only 38.5% of respondents
indicating this variable as important.
The largest factor dampening mobile phone demand is price, the
survey revealed. Nearly three-quarters of the respondents said
monthly mobile phone charges should be reduced, and over 80%
said usage fees should only be assessed for the person making the
call.
Due to these fees, a large number of the people said they would wait
to buy a mobile phone to see if the monthly fee system and the
two-way fee structure is changed.
© ChinaOnline 1999.
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