Communications services.

A study released in June 2007 by Amarach Consulting, a Dublin advisory and market research practice, supplies a number of insights on fixed and mobile phone and Internet service in Ireland. The study was undertaken for Ireland's Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).

Among the key findings are the fact that over half of the respondents who took part in the survey said they had both a fixed line phone and a mobile phone. The breakdown for fixed and mobile phones among respondents was 68 percent saying they had a fixed line phone, and 85 percent claiming ownership of a mobile phone.

Age had a significant impact on usage. Of the older consumers surveyed (65-74 year olds) 81 percent reported having a fixed line phone. Younger consumers were less likely to have a fixed line phone and more likely to report that the reason they did not have a fixed line phone was because they had a mobile phone.

Of the fixed line users interviewed, 34 percent said that they shopped around to compare prices among fixed line providers. Younger consumers (25-64 years of age) were more likely than older consumers to compare prices.

Price was the most significant factor in choosing a fixed line supplier.

Surprisingly, when mobile phone users were asked about how they paid for service, 73 percent said they used pre-paid services. The average number of mobile calls made per day was 5.47, and consumers using pre-paid services made fewer calls per day on average than consumers who were on billing plans. Mobile phone users who made more than 10 calls per day numbered 11 percent.

The average number of text messages sent per day was 6.65. Younger consumers texted more often than older consumers.

Approximately two-thirds of mobile phone users said that they changed their handsets at least once every two years.

In terms of Internet usage, half of respondents said they used the Internet (any location.) More people used the Internet at home than at work. And 4 percent of respondents reported using an Internet cafe.

Approximately 33 percent of Internet subscribers use the Internet every day. And the average amount of time spent online weekly is seven hours.

Among total survey respondents, 40 percent said they had a home Internet subscription. The 30 percent who do not have a home Internet subscription cite either lack of Internet skills, or say they do not own a personal computer as the reason.

CONSUMER MARKET INSIGHTS: