Michelle Donegan is a tech writer who has covered the communications industry for more than 25 years on both sides of the pond. Having worked for various industry titles, including Communications Week International, Total Telecom and Light Reading, she specializes in mobile network technology trends.
A recent survey of smartphone users in the UK and US by RootMetrics reveals insight into the connectivity needs of so-called power users that has implications for early 5G service demand.
According to the results, 30% of those surveyed are considered to be “always-on users who expect connectivity for daily activities,” of which 12% are classified as “wholly dependent power users” who depend on mobile connectivity for work as well as outside of work. RootMetrics describes these power users as a “small but influential group.”
Data performance and connectivity
Data performance and connectivity are highly valuable for smartphone power users. According to RootMetrics, this group is more likely to notice and react when they have problems with data performance. These users are more likely to switch and select service providers based on mobile data performance.
Indeed, just over half of power users (see chart below) said they would start to consider ditching their mobile operator and switching to another one if they experienced one or two difficulties with mobile Internet connection in a month, while 30% said they would consider switching after experiencing one difficulty per week for a month.
For these users, mobile performance matters because their work or business depend upon it (see chart below). The majority (71%) said a slow mobile Internet connection “significantly reduces my productivity,” while 40% said it leads to a loss of customers and 28% said it leads to a loss of revenue.
Ready for 5G
Power users are also likely to be early 5G adopters. According to RootMetrics, 41% said that their next mobile contract has to include 5G.
Most power users (see chart below) are expecting a variety of advantages from 5G, including the ability to make more money, work more flexible hours and from different locations, share more content on social media and attract more customers.
Ofcom’s next 5G spectrum auction could finally deliver on 5G’s full potential
Ofcom has laid out its plans for the auctioning of 26GHz and 40GHz mmWave 5G spectrum.
As seen on:
