Vodafone Survey Highlights Mobile Working

16th June , 2004

Above shows Vodafone mobile stunt unit on the move in central London.

Europe : Research published today by Vodafone UK * has found that over 80 per cent of business people surveyed are now equipped for mobile working. The snapshot survey conducted during UK Business Week also found that 42% of respondents are now using mobile data technologies such as Wi-Fi, mobile datacards and BlackBerry devices. This study supports the launch of Vodafone’s Perfect Fit for Business price plans, and was conducted at the QEII Centre in London.

According to the survey, text messaging is now seen as a mainstream communications tool by UK businesses, with 50 per cent of respondents using text messages as a way to communicate with colleagues.

The results show that 57 per cent of chief executives interviewed are frequently out of the office. This could explain the reason why chief executives are also the most device-orientated group surveyed. 83 per cent use a laptop, 48 per cent use a PDA and 35 per cent use Wi-Fi, mobile datacard or Wi-Fi technology.

Furthermore, 47 per cent of respondents said that they made at least one third of calls back to the office when they are out on business, with nearly one-third of managing directors saying that over 80% of usage of their main mobile is for business purposes. With free calls between mobiles and back to the office, Perfect Fit for Business aims to address the need to speak regularly with colleagues and offers increased value for money on company mobile usage.

Mark Bond, director of business marketing, Vodafone UK, comments: “Perfect Fit for Business price plans are designed to offer value in today’s competitive business environment. The fact that 80 per cent of business people surveyed are now equipped for mobile working is exceptionally positive, and indicates that the need to stay in touch with colleagues and customers has never been greater.”

Perfect Fit for Business is a range of price plans designed specifically for small businesses mobile needs and allows companies to choose the range of options that suit their requirements. Businesses selecting a Perfect Fit for Business price plan benefit from savings of at least 50 per cent on data usage, 60 per cent on international calls, and free calls to company landlines and mobiles.
Ends
*Source ICM June 2004. ICM Research conducted 385 interviews among a random sample of attendees at the UK Business Week exhibition on June 8th, 2004.

Summary of results
Total poll size: 385
Who do you send text messages to:
Percentage who text friends - 65%
Percentage who text family - 62%
Percentage who text colleagues - 50%
Percentage who text customers - 21%
Percentage who text supplier/business partners - 17%

How mobile is your business?
Out of the office for business frequently - 41%
In meetings once a week or more - 40%
Out of the office occasionally - 14%
Never out of the office - 6%

What is the most frequent reason you call the office?
To check messages from clients/customers/suppliers - 31%
To receive updates on projects - 29%
To return calls - 15%
To advise others of schedule - 14%
Other -14%

What technology do you use for work?
Laptop - 74%
PDA - 25%
Wi-Fi/Datacards 21%
Blackberry - 7%
Smartphones -5%
None - 18%
Don’t know - 1%

Which of the following do you use to advise you when making mobile or mobile technology purchases?
Advice from colleagues - 33%
Advice from friends - 19%
Mobile or IT magazines - 17%
Business magazines - 8%
Direct marketing and advertising - 30%
Other - 6%

Perfect Fit for Business includes the following plans.
• Sharetime 750, 1250, 2500, 5000 and 8000
A price plan that gives customers shared minutes and free calls across a group of mobiles. Added benefits include up to 60% saving on international calls and the ability to carry over unused minutes to the next month. Customers will also get free calls to office landlines when taking out a two-year contract.
• Company Caller
Simple line rental with no inclusive minutes and free calls between company mobiles on the same price plan. It also includes free calls to office landlines if a business takes out a two-year contract.
• Anytime 200, 400 & 1000
Designed for businesses to choose the minutes they need for each individual mobile. The plan includes calls to any network at any time, and the ability to carry over unused minutes to the next month. With Anytime 1000 customers will also save up to 60% with free ‘International Call Saver’.

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