Young Mobile Users Embracing 4G

With 4G service available across most of the country, at least through Verizon so far, Nielsen conducted a survey looking at adoption rates and attitudes toward 4G among U.S. mobile users. For starters, it found 4G penetration has quadrupled since last year--reaching 7.6% in the first quarter of 2012 from 1.4% a year ago. Younger consumers are the most likely to have already gotten 4G phones, and 63% of teens are likely to consider switching in the next year.

Among other highlights of the research:

-While both awareness and adoption of 4G have increased, understanding of 4G remains low as 55% of respondents can’t identify any forms of 4G technology.

-86% of 4G smartphone owners are satisfied with their 4G devices, comparable to owners of 3G devices, although satisfaction is notably low for battery life among 4G owners (46%). A portion of 4G smartphone owners report manually toggling between 3G and 4G on their device in an effort to conserve battery life.

-Although 39% of 4G smartphone owners indicate 4G was a factor influencing their purchase decision, only 8% identify 4G as the most important factor. The research found that 4G capability is considerably more important for those purchasing a data card or mobile hotspot than either a smartphone or tablet.

-Current 4G users are 5 times more likely to consider 4G as a replacement for their home broadband connection.

 

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