Irish looking forward to 3G

January 25, 2005

A survey conducted by Nokia Ireland and ENN indicates that eight in ten participants are looking forward to the benefits of 3G mobile phones. Six hundred or so users took part in the survey on ENN's website, which began last November.

Surprisingly only a few were interested in making video calls, which has been described by the mobile industry as one of the main driver for the growth of 3G technology. Only 17% of participants said they would use video calls.

The number one reason for 3G optimism, with almost 40% of people, was an increase in efficiency of mobile phone as computing tool. Even so, a fifth said 3G was not a priority to their business. Sixty five percent said the introduction of 3G will increase the use of integrated solutions to their businesses.

The survey also indicated that 30% of workers regularly access their email using their mobile phones.

Jackie Brannigan said 3G "will revolutionise business mobility solutions, offering Irish office workers the freedom to access information and resources to remain competitive and on top in their jobs."

"Mobile phones have already become an essential piece of every office worker's kit and are becoming more important in terms of anytime, anywhere, any device access for people on the move," Bannigan added.

Shekka M. Averbuch, editor of ElectricNews.Net, said, "The results show a genuine appetite for 3G among Irish users…Operators will need to put substantial resources into ensuring service reliability and offering knowledgeable support to users if they want to convert this initial interest into real enthusiasm."