Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

New Products

Safety Is Catalyst for Teen and Tween Mobile Subscriber Growth

JupiterResearch, a leading authority on the impact of the Internet and emerging consumer technologies on business, anticipates growth of tween (children ages eight to 12) and teen cell phone subscribers will outpace that of the overall US population. Highlighted in a new report, “Mobile Subscriber Acquisition: Marketing to Parents, Teens, and Tweens,” JupiterResearch found that data habits of tweens and teens will make them a potentially lucrative segment for wireless carriers and mobile content players.

According to the study, parents who have become accustomed to the convenience and utility of cell phones are purchasing them for their children in large part because of safety. Regardless of age, the ability for the child to reach the parent was cited as the main reason for adding children to existing mobile phone plans. Although cost is a factor, pricing structures have become more advantageous; such enticements as free phones are swaying parental decisions.

“Cell phone ownership is extending to ever-younger children as prices drop and carriers look to add subscribers in a market where adult penetration rates are closing in on their long-term maximum, ” said Julie Ask, Vice President and Research Director at JupiterResearch. “The majority of children with cell phones are on their parents’ wireless service plan well into adulthood due to the economics and convenience of adding family members to plans. Wireless service providers have made it an easy decision for parents to add their second graders by allowing family members to share minutes, adding free in-network calling, and offering options that help parents track their children and manage service costs.”

Cell phone adoption for tweens will grow dramatically in the next 12 months. According to parents, nearly one-half of children ages 12 or 13 will have a cell phone by the end of 2007, while one-third of children ages 10 or 11 will have a cell phone in the same period. JupiterResearch finds that cost is more of an enabler than a motivator of cell phone adoption among youth–18 percent of parents added their young child to existing plans because it was economical to do so. But parents are still reluctant to add children younger than 10, believing it’s unnecessary.

“Mobile communications may be gaining wider acceptance, but it’s clear there is still a line that consumers, especially parents of younger children, aren’t quite ready to cross,” said David Schatsky, President of JupiterResearch. “Safety and security has a different meaning for a parent, depending on the age of the child. For older teens, the catalyst may be going away to college for the first time, for younger teens, it may be the convenience of a parent being able to reach the child. Whatever the definition, it is apparent that it is applied differently based on the age of a child.”

The complete findings of this report are immediately available to JupiterResearch clients online at http://www.jupiterresearch.com. For details on JupiterResearch’s methodology, visit http://www.jupiterresearch.com/bin/item.pl/methodology or email press@jupiterresearch.com to request a detailed methodology statement. For additional information on this report or JupiterResearch’s Wireless research service, visit http://www.jupiterresearch.com or contact Kieran Kelly, Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Client Service, at 1-800-481-1212 or researchsales@jupiterresearch.com.

About JupiterResearch
JupiterResearch provides unbiased research, analysis and advice, backed by proprietary data, to help companies profit from the impact of the Internet and emerging consumer technologies on their business. The company helps online businesses make critical decisions about technology selection, spending, staffing, and Web site effectiveness; advises consumer-facing companies with online advertising, marketing, and customer service strategies to understand, attract, convert and retain customers; and guides technology vendors and service providers on market opportunity, positioning, product definition, and pricing. JupiterResearch is headquartered in New York City and has offices throughout the US and Europe. For more information, visit http://www.jupiterresearch.com.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

Latest Products

Zeitgeist Germany Tree Collection IEMs

Earbuds & In-Ear Headphones

At $814, Zeitgeist Germany offers bespoke IEMs carved from 4 different types of wood -- Sequoia, Zebrano, Olive and Redheart.

TCL A1 Portable Lifestyle Projector TCL A1 Portable Lifestyle Projector

New Products

At $499, the TCL A1 is a 1080p portable lifestyle projector that lets you bring big screen entertainment wherever you go.

Bose 901 60th Anniversary Edition Speakers Lifestyle Front Bose 901 60th Anniversary Edition Speakers Lifestyle Front

Bookshelf Speakers

Without any public fanfare, Bose has recreated its legendary 901 Direct Reflecting Loudspeakers that we would like to see and hear in person.

Musical Fidelity M8x Vinyl Phono Stage Silver Front Angle Musical Fidelity M8x Vinyl Phono Stage Silver Front Angle

New Products

Musical Fidelity's new flagship M8x Vinyl Phono Stage is both fully discrete and fully balanced with improved gain stage and more.

Master & Dynamic ME05 Wired Earphones Master & Dynamic ME05 Wired Earphones

Earbuds & In-Ear Headphones

Are wired earphones coming back? The new $199 Master & Dynamic ME05 in-ear headphones refresh a 10-year old design with added support for hi-res...

McIntosh MSA5500 Integrated Streaming Amplifier (Front) McIntosh MSA5500 Integrated Streaming Amplifier (Front)

Digital Music Systems

At $8,000, the McIntosh MSA5500 streaming integrated amplifier isn't for everybody, but it's hard not to be impressed with its styling and audio technology.

Gift Ideas?

Christmas Gift Guide 2024 for Hi-Fi, Headphones and Home Theater

Gift Guides

From headphones to home theater, these high performance audio gifts will exceed the expectation of any movie or music lover on your list.

You May Also Like

Advertisement

ecoustics is a hi-fi and music magazine offering product reviews, podcasts, news and advice for aspiring audiophiles, home theater enthusiasts and headphone hipsters. Read more

Copyright © 1999-2024 ecoustics | Disclaimer: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.



SVS Bluesound PSB Speakers NAD Cambridge Audio Q Acoustics Denon Marantz Focal Naim Audio RSL Speakers