Mobile phone ownership up

MANILA, Philippines - Mobile phone ownership went up as of May this year as phone companies come up with newer and more affordable models, research firm Synovate said.

According to Synovate Media Atlas, mobile phone ownership without Internet capabilities went up by 69 percent as of May this year from a year ago level.

On the other hand, mobile phone ownership with Internet connectivity went up from 29 percent last year to 31 percent as of May this year.

 “This increase in ownership is likely due to the sustained release of newer and more affordable cell phone models,” said Steve Garton, global executive director of media at Synovate.

Also, Garton said the rapid increase of new mobile applications and features that transcend various lifestyles and ways for information dissemination has also persuaded Filipinos to make use of available resources that help them acquire knowledge about current events all over the world.

Social networking sites, like Facebook and Twitter, are already accessible through the use of cellular phones, which further increase the attention and fascination of Filipinos towards mobile usage.

A phone is not necessarily for talking either as 79 percent said SMS is a major form of communication for them. 

In addition to texting, many have used their mobile phone’s other features, such as playing games (50 percent), photo-taking with the built-in digital camera (40 percent), and listening to music (29 percent).

Synovate’s Media Atlas delivers an in-depth perspective on urban Filipino consumers aged 15 to 64 across all socio economic groups and gives marketers, advertisers, and media agencies deep insights to improve brand building and sales effectiveness.