People are Keeping their Mobile Phones Longer, says Survey

The average British mobile phone owner has had the same phone for 20 months, compared to just 16 months a year ago, according to findings from Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS) as clunky handsets have become a thing of the past.

The research, carried out by TNS TeleComTrak (TCT) which maintains a panel of 15 000 UK users, compared mobile phone ownership over the past 12 months to April 2002. It reveals that age is a significant factor in the length of time that consumers keep a handset. Twelve-24 year olds have had their phones for an average of 17 months whilst 35-44 year olds for an average of 21 months.

Derek McInnes, Head of TeleComTrak said: 'Two years ago there was consumer demand for smaller, lighter more fashionable phones that worked well for voice calls, to replace the "bricks" that were more commonly available - these compact handsets now dominate the market. While technological developments have continued, little seems to have caught consumers' imagination enough to drive upgrades at the same rate.'

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