We hear non-stop about the boom in data usage, but a new report from GSMA Intelligence indicates not everyone is part of that movement.
According to GSMA Intelligence’s new Global Mobile Engagement Index, around half (47 percent) of mobile users across the globe only use their devices to talk and text rather than surfing the web. However, the report noted this segment of the mobile population is forecast to decrease to less than a third (29 percent) by 2030 as mobile users become more engaged thanks to new innovations, affordability, and availability developments.
By country, the report found mobile users in South Korea, Qatar, and the United States earned those countries top honors as the three highest-scoring markets in terms of mobile engagement.
Contrary to what one might think, the study also found Millennials are not necessarily more engaged than older mobile users, for example noting that a quarter of smartphone users in South Korea are in the 51-69 age group. Gender gaps in usage do exist in some countries, though. In India, for instance, women are 43 percent less likely to use mobile internet services than their male counterparts.
So what are those who surf the web on their phones doing?
The report found more than 70 percent of smartphone users watch free online videos, while half watch or replay live TV on their device. More than 70 percent of smartphone users also use their phone to look up information on products and services, while half use it to buy goods.
The full GSMA Intelligence Global Mobile Engagement Index report can be downloaded here.
