75% Cell Phoners Never Late Paying, Too Important, Says LetsTalk

By Reporter Wireless and Mobile News on October 30, 2008 1:19 PM

Americans don't let the wireless payment slip. According to a recent Consumer Spending Behavior survey sponsored by LetsTalk.com, more than half of cell phone owners are willing to pay increased bills this year compared to last year.

Surprisingly, over 75 percent of respondents report never being late on their wireless bill, but close to 90 percent admit delaying their utilities bill, ISP bill, landline telephone service bill, credit card payment, or rent/mortgage payment. When asked the primary motivation for prioritizing their wireless bill, over 63 percent agree that their mobile phone is essential to staying connected with families and friends.

LetsTalk initiated the survey to better understand customer rationale behind increased spending when economic indicators are not favorable.

Conducted last month, the LetsTalk Smartphone Consumer Spending Behavior survey canvassed over 500 LetsTalk customers, ages 18 and over. Additional survey highlights are detailed below.

Consumers are willing to spend more money on new cell phone features.

Forty-five percent of respondents attribute an increase in their cell phonebill to additional services (needed on recently purchased phone).
The third most popular response when asked why respondents cell phonebills are higher is text message usage increase.

Smartphones have become the norm
According to the survey, a little over 50 percent of consumers own a smartphone, for instance, a BlackBerry or Treo.

The top reasons for owning a smartphone are: to use mobile email, surf the Internet and add addresses to each contact.
The majority of respondents acquired their smartphones from an outside source, which could indicate that smartphones are being reimbursed by employers or family / friends are providing smartphones to loved ones to stay in touch.