[LINK] ACMA report: Aus. hhld take-up & use of voice comm. services

[Sylvano]

The PDF version disables the copy of text, which is odd since a word
version is also made available...
Australian household consumers’ take-up and use of voice communications
services - ACMA (pdf 588kb MS Word 380kb)


Sylvano

-- 
Gnomon Publishing
http://www.gnomon.com.au/

downloads at:

http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_311644


<quote>
1. Executive summary

This report in the Convergence and Communications series highlights
changing trends in the take-up and use of communications services by
Australian consumers.

It presents the findings of quantitative research into the attitudes and
behaviours of household consumers concerning their voice communications,
and builds on previous ACMA research in this area, primarily from the
Telecommunications Today series.

The data presented in this report reveals that while over 90 per cent of
Australian adults continue to use both fixed-line phones and mobile phones
and largely see them as complementary services, Australians are
increasingly turning to mobile technology to make their voice calls.

Within this group is a growing section of the community that uses their
fixed-line service solely to maintain an internet connection, with their
communications needs otherwise served by their mobile phone.

While the process of fixed–mobile substitution is continuing in Australia,
data presented in this report suggest that the transition from fixed-line
to mobile voice communications is a staged process, varying from no
substitution to mobile only, with consumers placed at different stages
according to their lifestyle, communication preferences and age.

Younger adults are leading Australia’s shift away from fixed-line
communications, with many choosing not to connect a fixed-line phone in
their new residence when they move out of the parental home. The level of
mobile service take-up in this demographic is among the highest in the
country, at 95 per cent of 24 to 35-year-olds.

Older Australians more commonly adhere to fixed-line technology for voice
communication. Ninety-six per cent of those aged 65–69 maintain a
fixed-line service, in contrast to 75 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds.
Among 18 to 24-year-olds living in share households, this number drops to
60 per cent.

Similar patterns are seen in voice service preferences. Younger consumers
show a clear preference for mobile communications, with 79 per cent of 18
to 24-year-olds using their mobiles more often than a fixed-line service.
Among older Australians, a strong preference for fixed-line phone calls is
seen, with those aged over 70 years most often using their fixed-line
phones to make voice calls.

Emerging technologies such as VoIP are yet to be adopted by Australians at
mainstream levels. However, with over three-quarters of Australian
households connected to the internet  and a growing awareness of how VoIP
services are accessed, the take-up of broadband telephony is likely to
grow. The potential of the VoIP market has been recognised by industry,
with 47 per cent of internet service providers offering VoIP services as
part of a bundled broadband package.
</quote>