Mobile cameras, FM 'must haves' for mobile phone users

New Delhi, Apr 26 (UNI) Integrated digital camera, FM radio and speaker phones continue to remain the features most likely to drive up-gradation of mobile handsets along with Multi Media Service (MMS), the new entrant to the list, a study here said.

Features like tri-band, bluetooth, infrared port also observed growing demand, but are yet to develop any mass appeal, according to the IDC (India) Ltd Mobile Handsets Usage Satisfaction Study 2006.

These value added handset features are yet to become mainstream for all the existing handsets present in a fewer number of current handsets, though but for a large high proportion of handset users, some of these features are 'must haves' while buying their next handset, the study added.

''The cost of these features in mobile handsets are coming down rapidly with competition and technological development. Therefore, the otherwise 'advanced' interesting features are becoming 'must haves' for common cell phone users even if their regular needs and lifestyle do not justify these features,'' IDC (India) Ltd General Manager Parijat Chakraborty said.

Most of the handset vendors are following the right communication mix by using these aspired features to sway the target audience, Mr Chakraborty, also head of User and Communication Research in IDC (India) Ltd, added.

The wide-spread hype around these services is coming down among the mass, primarily due to high service cost and low relevance.

However, among specific segments, these services are exhibiting high to very high demands. The handset marketers need to focus on segmented communication approach for these niche segments, he said.

Features such as reminder, scheduler, organiser were observed to have loosen their shine and saliency over time, the study said.

Sony Ericsson left behind all other mobile handset brands to grab the number one spot in the handset user's overall satisfaction, even though the brand has a very low overall market share.

Nokia, LG and Samsung followed closely at the no 2, no 3 and no 4 spots respectively.

The current mobile users are willing to spend on an average Rs 7,100 while buying the next handset, which is a shade below as compared to last year' study.

The average amount spent on the current handset is Rs 4,300 thereby an additional Rs 2,800 is likely to be spent while upgrading, IDC (India) Ltd Manager, User Research Group North and West, Shailendra Gupta said.

Reduction in voice usages is due to an increasing number of subscriber base being from from low spending market segments such as workers and students strata of the society. The unsolicited calls from call centers for selling services and goods are also responsible for higher number of incoming calls, Mr Gupta said.

Usage of SMS increased as compared to last year's study.

The study, conducted by taking a sample of 3,140 mobile users (both GSM and CDMA), covered all the four metros.

IDC is the world's leading provider of technology intelligence, industry analysis and market data to builders, providers and users of IT.

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