Vodafone U.K. is deemphasizing 3G services by cutting subsidies for 3G cellular phones, according to an article in The Sunday Times.
At the same time, Enders Analysis, a London consulting firm, has released a study it commissioned that says people aren’t interested in 3G services — including mobile television, the article says.
Vodafone is still promoting some 3G services, such as mobile TV and downloading music. However, the cellular operator will employ 3G networks for the mass market to promote cheaper voice calls to capture customers from landline companies, such as BT, the article says.
Not interested in multimedia
The research report commissioned by Enders Analysis reports 63 percent of adults were completely uninterested in 3G services and 18 percent were not very interested. Even subscribers who have 3G phones haven’t used them for many advanced services.
Based on the Enders Analysis study, The Sunday Times reports, “Seven out of ten had either never made a video call, or had done so only once. More than half of 3G phone owners had never watched a video clip or downloaded music after an initial test.
“Three-quarters of consumers said they were unwilling to pay £5 [$9.25] a month to watch mobile TV.”
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