SavvyQuest™: Cell Phone Text and Web Usage

Luth Research’s recent SavvyQuest omnibus survey of wireless phone users with text or web access capabilities fielded from June 9 to June 11, 2009, netting 1001 respondents with demographics balanced against U.S. Census data. Of those who completed the online poll, 64% said their phone was equipped with the ability to access the Internet, with a significant number under 55 years of age. Of those who had the capability, close to half (43%) said they use it, with a significant number of users also under 45 years.

More than three-fourths (76%) of those who access the Web using their phone say they have an unlimited usage plan. Their primary activity is checking email (87%), followed by “get scoring news or weather updates” and “locate a business, address or name”, both at 68%. More than one-third download games, music or other content or watch a video.

The vast majority of respondents (88%) had text capabilities with their phone as well, especially those under 55 years or with household incomes under $100,000, and 40% of those who are able to text have an unlimited text plan, while 30% are charged for each text message.

Of those with texting capabilities, less than one-fourth (24%) have opted to receive messages from a company via text on their mobile phone, with a significant number under 45 years of age. Of those who have opted in, 71% have also opted out.

More than half (51%) of those with text capabilities have said they have received a marketing or ad text message, with 30% having received ads and 18% having received an offer or coupon.

About SavvyQuest

SavvyQuest is an Omnibus survey service provided by Luth Research leveraging SurveySavvy™, the company’s high-quality multimillion-member online panel. With SavvyQuest, an online survey with a target total of 1,000 completes is fielded based on a weekly schedule, which can be tailored to on-demand schedules if needed. The 1,000 completes are balanced to reflect the U.S. Census demographic distributions on gender, age and ethnicity. The sample can be later weighted to reflect online population distributions if it is so desired. For more information, please contact Becky Wu, Vice President of Research, at bwu@luthresearch.com.

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