Research indicates consumers will not switch from fixed line to mobile broadband

According to the results of recent research carried out by Ovum consumers are not ready to switch from fixed line broadband to mobile broadband.

When mobile broadband services really took off in the UK recently there was much speculation with regards to whether consumers would start replacing their fixed line broadband service with a more flexible, convenient mobile broadband service. However, the results from recent research has indicated that most consumers would not be prepared to replace their fixed line service with a mobile one.

The research was carried out by Ovum, and it showed that only seven percent of consumers were in favour of replacing their fixed line broadband service with a mobile broadband service. Many said that they might reduce certain services in order to save money but would not cancel the service altogether.
An official from Ovum stated: “It has become part of how people communicate, book their holidays, search for work, find out news, purchase goods and educate their children. When money becomes tight consumers obviously look for ways to save money, but for the vast majority of people cutting out their access to the internet and associated services and applications is just not an option.”

Another industry official added: “Home broadband has become so cheap in recent years that for many people it simply doesn’t make sense to cancel their fixed-line broadband as long as they’re keeping their home phone line. And with offers like TalkTalk’s “free broadband” and Tiscali Broadband’s “free line rental” the internet has become more affordable than ever.”

Responses with regards to replacing fixed line broadband with mobile broadband services did vary between different global areas. For instance, in Korea mobile broadband is a fully established service, and here around fifteen percent of consumers said that they would be happy to ditch their fixed line service for mobile broadband.