Bangkok--20 May--Farh Agency Ericsson Consumer Lab interviewed 31,000 consumers of all ages in 25 countries around the world (see source 1), and found that a full 65 percent always take a mobile phone with them when leaving the home (if you consider only those who actually have mobile phones, this figure reaches 90 percent). On the other hand, when we asked the most advanced internet users (see source 2) in the most advanced age-groups (15-39), in three of the most advanced countries (US., UK. and Japan) about their laptop use, the figures pointed strongly in the opposite direction: while 80 percent of people had used a laptop at home, only 20 percent said they had ever used one out on the town. Laptops are definitely attractive and most people would like to have one, but the main reason is not outdoor mobility. The laptop is seen rather as an interior-design item: it is more attractive than a stationary computer; you can hide it away, it does not take up a lot of space and you can carry it to and from work or college and home. Furthermore, a laptop at home enables people to be flexible in their own environments: indoor mobility is one of the main advantages of the laptop. So, if we are looking at the short-term future, mobile broadband is a twofold proposition: several vertical markets of people with specific mobile-computing needs, and a huge horizontal market of everyone with a mobile phone. The world in your hand While business travelers are a relatively distinct group, commuters are a huge and multifaceted group: a full 70 percent of people (see source 3) commute on a daily basis. Furthermore, commuters are the people who show the greatest interest in mobile-internet-related services such as listening to music, watching movies, consuming news and sports content, playing games and so on. As part of this process, we will see end-user-driven demand for convergence both of functionality and form between mobile phones and laptops. We do not know - and cannot know - exactly what device will predominate, since it will be determined by how end users invent and reinvent mobility, but we can say two things for certain: - Communication will remain the key functionality. - It will be small enough to carry while being capable of delivering a rewarding content experience. Your hand in the world Let us go back to the 31,000 consumers of all ages in 25 countries around the world, of whom 65 percent (see source 1) always carry a mobile phone when leaving the home. What other things do they most commonly carry in their pockets and handbags? The respondents answered as seen in diagram “The most important things” SOURCES: 1. Ericsson C & E Lab Fundamental Module -06; 25 countries globally; 31,000 respondents. 2.C & E Lab Mobile Web In-Depth Module -06; 3 countries (UK, Japan, US); 1550 advanced internet users aged 15- 39. 3.C & E Lab Infocom Module -06; 11 countries (UK, Germany, Spain, Sweden, China, Japan, Brazil, US, India, Russia and Mexico); 16,000 respondents. 4.www.felicanetworks.co.jp/about/report/200609.html; May 2006 Japan; 13,583 respondents; mobile phone users (in Japanese). For further information, please contact: Mrs. Voraparn Eua-arporn (coco), GM of Farh Agency Tel: 0 26160991-2, Fax: 0 2616 0993, MB: 08 9144 4014, 08 1376 5927