SAN DIEGO, July 21, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Mobile phone users are admittedly attached to their handsets. A series of polls recently conducted by the world's largest mobile community (www.sms.ac) demonstrates that consumers are heralding more applications for wireless devices. The surveys indicate that mobile handsets are increasingly becoming an indispensable part of daily lives. Today's SMS.ac survey can be seen at www.sms.ac.
Out of 56,734 SMS.ac members responding to a June survey, 88.5% say they keep their mobile phones with them 24 hours per day. And of those same respondents, 79.6% claim that text messaging activity is the primary reason they don't want to be separated from their mobile phones. This percentage is up from a March 2003 figure of 71.3%.
But, will consumers' love affair with text messaging last? When asked if they felt texting (sending SMS messages) was a fad, 84.2% of 41,417 respondents said they believe texting is here to stay. Only 10.2% felt that SMS messaging was a fad that will not last.
Texting to friends and family is widely accepted as being responsible for a large portion of text messages exchanged worldwide. However, an increasing number of mobile phone applications are contributing to the upswing in the volume of wireless data, according to SMS.ac, Inc. chairman and chief executive officer, Michael Pousti. "For the first time in history, a global armada of consumers has anytime, anywhere access to the world at their fingertips," said Pousti. "It's no surprise that these consumers are driving the push for new and innovative ways to communicate."
As an example, a majority of SMS.ac members responding to an SMS.ac survey said that the ability to vote via their mobile device would make them more likely to participate in elections. 42,400 attitudes were registered on this subject, with 65.6% responding that they would be more likely to vote, if they could use their mobile phones.
When asked if they wanted to be notified on their mobile phones in the event there was an emergency such as a fire or flood in their area, 84.3% of 42,241 participants in an SMS.ac poll said they would welcome a mobile alert of this nature.
To receive a complete copy of the SMS.ac survey referenced above, please send an email with your request to prcomm@sms.ac.
To help shape the future of mobile communications and to join the search for "the killer application," be sure and attend the world's premier wireless communications conference, coming to San Diego September 24-26, 2003. A Global Mobile 2003 early-registration discount is being offered to attendees. Additionally, sponsorship and showcase opportunities are available by clicking on the Sponsors/Exhibitors section of the Global Mobile 2003 site found at www.sms.ac/globalmobile. Companies interested in submitting a key executive to speak at Global Mobile 2003 are encouraged to complete the online submission form at the Global Mobile 2003 site.
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About SMS.ac
SMS.ac is host to the largest wireless community in the world. With approximately 10 million members registered in 220 countries, SMS.ac is a truly global mobile community that has connectivity to more than 400 networks worldwide. Through its core MMSbox(tm) technologies, SMS.ac, Inc. enables worldwide wireless interaction between network operators, technology standards, the Internet, enterprises, consumers and application/content developers. The result is interaction not previously possible -- igniting the widespread adoption and use of wireless data.
SMS.ac drives revenues through technology licensing, subscriptions, sponsorships and shared revenue opportunities. SMS.ac's consumer site (www.sms.ac) is an example of the brandable Web interfaces to MMSbox(tm) technologies available for licensing. SMS.ac and MMSbox are trademarks of SMS.ac, Incorporated. Other trademarks or service marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. To view the SMS.ac corporate Website, visit www.sms.ac/corporate.