| |
Birmingham, AL — April 15, 2003 — The TeleMessaging
Industry Association’s (TMIA) Unified Communications Committee
has released the results of its third research project. Conducted
in February of 2003, the project was designed to gain insight into
the relationship between individuals who have wireless phones and
their family communities using a wireline phone.
| Committee Members from a host of companies
collaborated to query 1500 random samples across North America,
of which 829 were wireless subscribers. The committee’s
three-pronged approach covered the following areas: |
| |
1. |
a day in the life of a wireless subscriber
(usage of wireless compared landline); |
| |
2. |
the subscriber’s desired relationship
between wireline and wireless; |
| |
3. |
testing concepts for integration of individual
and family community needs. |
“Previous research indicated that wireline voicemail subscribers
were very interested in having a single mailbox for wireline and
wireless messages,” said Committee co-Chair Dan Corcoran.
“We also knew that wireless service providers did not view
the creation of wireline/wireless mailbox as a priority, primarily
for business reasons.”
The 829 wireless respondents were asked about their interest in
a single wireline/wireless mailbox. 54.3% of wireless users said
that they were somewhat or very interested in having a single wireline/wireless
mailbox, an even greater interest than previous surveys had discovered
when using random participants. It should be noted that this percentage
includes respondents who do not have voicemail on their home phone.
The interest level for respondents who have both wireless and home
voicemail jumps to 62.8%, indicating significant dissatisfaction
with the current system of having a distinct voicemail box for each
wireless and wireline phone number.
This research indicates a substantial need, and a real opportunity
for wireless companies to provide something their customers want
and create additional exit barriers in the extremely competitive
wireless market. Additionally, a single mailbox would encourage
new subscriptions to wireline voicemail given the interest noted
among answering machine customers.
The TMIA’s Unified Communications committee will continue
to explore the findings of the research at its next two meetings,
to be held April 9th and May 15th.
About TMIA
The Telemessaging Industry Association, formed in 1998, is an
open forum comprised of over 36 companies including major service
providers, prominent voice mail/messaging vendors, ASPs, customer
premises equipment (CPE) providers and other parties. TMIA members
share an interest in advancing the use of all messaging services
in all markets, including SMS, UC, MMS and enhanced voicemail.
The TMIA is actively recruiting members throughout the messaging
industry. Those interested are encouraged to call 864-962-0648 or
check the TMIA's web page at www.tmia.org.
« Back
|
|
