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Almost Half of Mobile Users Still Only Talking and Texting, Finds New GSMA Mobile Engagement StudyAlmost half of mobile phone users worldwide still only use their devices to make voice calls and send SMS, according to new consumer research by GSMA (News - Alert) Intelligence. The new Global Mobile Engagement Index (GMEI) measures the level of engagement of mobile phone users across a wide array of use cases and services. This first-of-its-kind consumer index is based on inputs from the 2016 GSMA Intelligence consumer survey, which surveyed mobile users across 56 global markets representing 80 per cent of the world's population. The first GMEI study is published today and will be updated on an annual basis. The GMEI classifies mobile user engagement into four tiers: 'Aficionados' (the most engaged), 'Pragmatists', 'Networkers' and 'Talkers' (the least engaged). The research reveals that 'Talkers' - those who only use their mobile phones to make voice calls and send SMS - accounted for 47 per cent of adult mobile phone owners in 2016. However, this segment is forecast to shrink to 29 per cent of the total by 2030 as users across the developing world become more engaged due to advances in mobile innovation, affordability and availability. Consumers can take part in an online survey here to discover which consumer segment they belong to and how they compare with those across the world that took part in the research. "In an era of mobile being near ubiquitous around the world and at the centre of people's lifestyles, there is a growing need to measure mobile user engagement levels to identify future industry growth opportunities," said Hyunmi Yang, GSMA Chief Strategy Officer. "Consumer behaviours are continuing to change as mobile devices get smarter, services grow richer and societies become more connected. The Global Mobile Engagement Index is a unique industry tool to help understand these shifting trends." The GMEI report published today offers a number of insights based on the latest research:
The GMEI calculates an engagement score for each of the 56 global markets covered in the consumer survey. The top ten countries based on this score are:
The GSMA Intelligence Global Mobile Engagement Index report can be downloaded at: https://www.gsmaintelligence.com/research/2017/02/gmei-2017/602/ -ENDS- About the GSMA The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 800 operators with almost 300 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress (News - Alert), Mobile World Congress Shanghai, Mobile World Congress Americas and the Mobile 360 Series of conferences. For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter (News - Alert): @GSMA. 1 The GMEI score is based on responses to the 2016 GSMA Intelligence global consumer survey. A country score of zero would mean that consumers never use their mobile phones for any of the 29 mobile use cases covered in the survey. A country score of 10 would mean that consumers engage in each of the 29 mobile use cases every day.
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