<$BlogRSDUrl$> Marcus P. Zillman, M.S., A.M.H.A. Author/Speaker/Consultant
Marcus P. Zillman, M.S., A.M.H.A. Author/Speaker/Consultant
Internet Happenings, Events and Sources


Monday, November 24, 2003  

Pew Report: Consumption of Information Goods and Services in the United States
http://www.pewinternet.org/reports/toc.asp?Report=103

A new study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project finds that as people surround themselves with the latest technological gadgets and services, the landline telephone plays a less prominent role in their communication routines and the television recedes in importance as an information appliance.

The most enthusiastic tech savvy Americans are the ones most likely to report a decrease in telephone calling because of the Internet and a tendency to use cell phones as a way to make long distance calls. These users are also the ones most likely to have either canceled a home phone line because of their cell phone or have seriously considered doing so. Although only 2% of all Americans have cancelled a wireline phone since getting a cell phone, 7% of the most enthusiastic tech users have done this. Another 20% have seriously considered doing so.

Since these tech enthusiasts are also the most likely to have connected to the Internet wirelessly and placed a phone call online, many of these technologically sophisticated young Americans are heading toward a style of communication that is untethered to a specific place. This trend is likely to be hastened by the Federal Communication Commission's new rule that lets users have their home wireline phone number as their wireless number.

"For some of the most enthusiastic tech users in America, the wireline telephone may be going the way of the transistor radio," said John B. Horrigan, principal author of the report and senior research specialist at the Pew Internet & American Life Project. "It's not that tech enthusiasts don't value the capabilities a wireline phone offers, it's just that those capabilities now come bundled in new services and gadgets that offer additional features with greater flexibility and at comparable cost."

posted by Marcus Zillman | 3:02 PM
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