In-Depth Analysis: Consumer Demand for Cellular/Wi-Fi Services

SUMMARY

There is strong consumer interest in the types of billing and service plans that VoWLAN/cellular converged services could provide. However, there is little interest in the actual technology requirement for special mobile phones and a Wi-Fi connection to an existing broadband service.

Unlike many other mobile applications such as video and downloadable music, the target market for these services appears not to be high-spending, high-usage wireless customers. Those users, apparently, have already arranged their voice service plans and handsets to their liking. Instead, the more frugal customers who may be limiting their usage and spending to avoid unexpected bills are a more important?but difficult to identify?market. This report will be important to companies considering entry into the converged services market including equipment vendors, handset manufacturers, and wireless carriers.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Executive Summary
• Introduction
  • Technology
  • User Interest
• Background
  • The Triple Play
  • The Quadruple Play
  • T-Mobile Hotspot@Home
• Consumer Attitudes
  • Broadband Users Survey
    • Conclusions
    • Landline Rates for Mobile Calls Made From Home ("Home Zone" Service)
    • Voice Calls over a Home Wi-Fi Network Using a Cellular Handset
    • Seamless Handoff of Calls Between Cellular and Wi-Fi
    • Preferred FMC Service Provider
    • Replacing Fixed Line with FMC
  • Early-Adopter Survey (Wireless Users)
    • Conclusion
    • Overage History
    • Other Factors
  • Non-FMC Surveys
    • Conclusions
    • Likelihood to Replace Landline
    • Handset Objections
    • Carrier Satisfaction
• Value Proposition
  • SWOT
  • Strengths: Consumers Like It, Carriers May
  • Weaknesses: Hardware Unavailable or Disliked
  • Opportunities: High Broadband Penetration
  • Threats: Technology
• Conclusions
  • Technology
  • Pricing/Services
  • Who's Ready for VoWLAN/Cellular Convergence?
    • Mobile Carriers
    • Cable Companies
    • Telephone Companies
    • Consumers
  • Assessment
• Methodology
  • North American Broadband Users Survey
  • Technology Adoption Panel
  • Consumer Mobility Survey
• Glossary
• Related In-Stat Reports
• Offices

List of Tables

• Table 1. Portion of Monthly Minutes Used While at Home
• Table 2. Factors that would Increase Use of Mobile Phone at Home (Base: Don't Use Mobile Phone 100% of the Time at Home)

List of Figures

• Figure 1. 2005 vs. 2006 Overall Interest in a VoWLAN/Cellular Phone
• Figure 2. Top-Two Interest in Fixed Mobile Convergence Applications
• Figure 3. Consumer Interest in At-Home Pricing
• Figure 4. Interest in "Hotspot@Home" Type Service
• Figure 5. Interest in Cellular/Wi-Fi Handoff
• Figure 6. Preferred Fixed-Mobile Service Operator (Base: At Least Somewhat Interested in FMC)
• Figure 7. Likelihood to Replace Home Phone with FMC Service
• Figure 8. 2005 vs. 2006 Overall Interest in a VoWLAN/Cellular Phone
• Figure 9. 2005 vs. 2006 Access to Wi-Fi
• Figure 10. Overages in the Previous 12 Months
• Figure 11. Average Amount of Overage
• Figure 12. Interest in Home Zone Pricing Compared With Change in Monthly Service Plan Due to Overage
• Figure 13. 2005 vs. 2006 At-Home Usage of Mobile Phone
• Figure 14. Factors That Would Increase Use of Mobile Phone at Home
• Figure 15. Likelihood to Replace Landline With Mobile Phone (Base: Would Consider Replacing Landline with Mobile Phone)
• Figure 16. Factors Preventing Replacement of Landline with Mobile Phone
• Figure 17. Mobile Carrier Strengths and Weaknesses