My Cell Phone’s Ringing, Caller Unknown, Now What? Usage Behavior Patterns Among Recent Landline Cord Cutters Who Have Become Cell Phone-Only Users
Abstract:
A growing number of Americans are considering cutting their landline telephone cords in favor of becoming cell phone-only. To date, survey researchers have begun to understand that cell phone-only users tend to be “heavy users” of cell phones compared with those who have both landlines and cell phones. Recent studies on cell phones (either in conjunction with/without a landline phone) have explored behaviors such as types of plans (individual/family), type of usage (sharing,/personal) and frequency of usage (most/some calls, emergency calls). With increases in the number of cell phone subscribers coupled with decreases in landline ownership, could variability in cell phone usage patterns be explained in part by recent changes in telephone status? While cell phone plan attributes (e.g., number of anytime/whenever/nights-and-weekend minutes and web and text messaging access) and phone attributes/ capabilities (e.g., smart/PDA phone, external caller id screen) vary by provider, it may influence patterns of use – a relationship that has received little attention in the literature. The understanding of prevalence and use of these attributes, which in practical ways differ in function and use from their landline counterparts, is crucial to optimizing call designs to cell phone users.
In this paper, we use data collected from a two-phase Gallup Panel survey to explore cell phone usage patterns of members who have recently switched from either a landline phone or landline and cell phone to become cell phone-only. The cell phone-only status for this sample was confirmed via a second phase follow-up survey that collected specific phone plan data including: type, cost, minutes and technological components such as: voice mail and text messaging. A detailed analysis of usage behaviors including explorations of the interaction between cell phone plan/ phone capabilities and answering propensity will be presented.
Recommended Citation:
Buskirk, T. D., Rao, K., & Kaminska, O. (2008). My Cell Phone’s Ringing, Caller Unknown, Now What? Usage Behavior Patterns Among Recent Landline Cord Cutters Who Have Become Cell Phone-Only Users. Paper presented at the American Association of Public Opinion Research, New Orleans.
Attached Documents:
- AAPOR 2008 Program (see page #37 for the mention)
- AAPOR 2008 Cell Behaviors Paper