PCS Penetration Shows the Strongest Growth, According to IDC's 1999 Survey of Wireless Users, Former Users, and Nonusers
June 29, 1999
FRAMINGHAM, Mass., June 28 /PRNewswire/ via NewsEdge Corporation -- Penetration of personal communications services (PCS) phones is growing faster than penetration of either cellular phones or pagers. This is one of many findings in International Data Corporation's (IDC's) 1999 Survey of Wireless Users, Former Users, and Nonusers.
According to IDC, perceived PCS penetration increased from only 4% in 1998 to 17% in 1999. Cellular penetration also grew, increasing from 38% to 43%. Paging penetration remained stagnant at 23%.
"Penetration of PCS is increasing," said Julie Rietman, senior analyst for IDC's Wireless and Mobile Communications program. "However, some consumers are confused as to the difference between PCS and cellular. "
When IDC survey respondents were asked about which products they plan to purchase in the future, 10% said they plan to purchase cellular phones; 5% plan to purchase PCS phones, and 5% will get pagers. Those numbers could be higher if providers lowered service prices, improved coverage, and/or demonstrated how the service worked.
IDC's report based on the survey profiles current, former, and nonusers of cellular/PCS and paging service. "Understanding the wireless nonusers and why they don't have cellular/PCS or paging service is critical for service providers as this group will be carriers' future prospects and clients," Rietman said.
The survey includes responses from 1,500 U.S. households, eclipsing the size of other surveys in the industry. It presents findings on monthly household usage and spending among current users, intention to connect or reconnect service among nonusers and former users, paging distribution channels, likelihood to purchase wireless service over the telephone or Internet, and interest in a variety of new products/services, such as two-way pagers and wireless Internet access.
IDC's report A Survey of Wireless Users, Former Users, and Nonusers, 1999 (IDC #W19128) publishes the survey findings. It presents the survey results cross-tabulated by RBOC regions, 13 states/multistate regions, and 22 other demographic measures. Because of the large number of data tables, this report is available in spreadsheet format, enabling researchers to quickly and easily search for information. To purchase the report, contact Janis Dempsey at 508-935-4145.
About IDC
International Data Corporation is the information technology industry's most comprehensive resource on worldwide IT markets, trends, products, vendors, and geographies. IDC provides data, analysis, and advisory services to the world's leading IT suppliers as well as IS professionals in finance, insurance, entertainment, advertising, consumer goods, and publishing. IDC's research and opinions are based on the results of more than 300,000 end-user surveys, in-depth competitive analysis, broad technology coverage, and strategic analysis. IDC is committed to providing global research with local content through its 500 analysts in more than 40 countries worldwide. Additional information on IDC can be found on its Web site at idc.com.
IDC is a division of International Data Group, the world's leading IT media, research, and exposition company.
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SOURCE International Data Corporation
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