SAN DIEGO, Nov. 14, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Recent polls of the world's largest community of mobile phone users (www.sms.ac) show that, according to respondents, worldwide mobile text communications are increasing in number and the 2004 outlook for the wireless industry appears promising. Each day, SMS.ac, Inc. surveys its global base of registered members on a variety of issues. Today's poll can be seen at www.sms.ac.
In one recent poll, SMS.ac asked its users if they are exchanging more text (SMS) messages than six months ago. Out of 40,076 respondents, 78.7% replied affirmatively, while only 10.2% claimed they send about the same amount and 8.3% were unsure. 2.8% said they were exchanging fewer text messages.
This uptake in text messaging has gained traction in the U.S., after a sluggish start. The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) remarked that approximately 1.5 billion text messages were sent domestically in June 2003, representing a 50% increase over June 2002.
And the number of mobile handsets purchased may be on the rise, too. Out of 45,125 members participating in a November 2003 poll, 74.0% said they intend to buy a new mobile phone, within the next six months. 71.9% of those expecting to purchase say that they are extremely likely to acquire phones that are equipped with built-in cameras.
With the advancement of handset-related technology, a wealth of multimedia content is soon expected to be available via wireless devices. A majority of SMS.ac survey respondents believe that superior-quality music will soon be available via their mobile phones. In fact, 69.8% of 38,318 polled replied that mobile phones will someday replace other portable devices for the delivery of consumer music.
"Technology is taking everything that is offered through the Internet and it is making that communication and content available to us, wirelessly," said Michael Pousti, chairman and chief executive officer at SMS.ac. "As next-generation devices and greater bandwidth become available, it is reasonable to expect that consumer activities will shift increasingly away from fixed devices, like PCs, and more time will be invested on their mobile handsets. We know that there is voracious consumer appetite to gain anytime, anyplace access to the people, information and entertainment that are important to us."
If it were available, 68.2% of 38,906 SMS.ac members surveyed said they would watch television on their mobile phones, with regularity.
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About SMS.ac
SMS.ac, Inc. is a wireless communications company whose proprietary MMSbox(tm) technology enables the exchange of text (SMS) and multimedia (MMS) mobile communications across any technology platform, deliverable to any enabled wireless device. A demonstration of MMSbox technology is available at www.sms.ac. With more than 10 million registered users in 220 countries, SMS.ac is host to the largest community of mobile phone users in the world, offering connectivity to over 400 mobile networks worldwide. Through its core MMSbox(tm) technologies, SMS.ac, Inc. enables interoperable, worldwide wireless interaction between network operators, the Internet, enterprises, consumers, third parties and application/content developers. Through its global initiatives, SMS.ac is igniting the widespread adoption and use of wireless data.
SMS.ac derives revenues through shared revenue relationships with mobile operators around the world. Revenues are also realized from mobile marketing campaigns, technology licensing, subscriptions, sponsorships and other streams. SMS.ac's consumer site (www.sms.ac) is an example of the brandable web interfaces to MMSbox(tm) technologies available for licensing. To view the SMS.ac corporate web site, visit www.sms.ac/corporate.