Canadians reluctant to go wireless: Study
 

VANCOUVER — Canadian wireless use continues to lag behind other G8 countries and is even being outpaced by several developing economies, according to a study released Thursday.

The TNS 2009 Global Telecoms Insight of wireless ownership and use in 32 countries found that wireless penetration has hit a plateau in Canada this year with 70 per cent of Canadians aged 16 to 60 owning a cellphone, up only one point from last year's 69 per cent.

That puts Canada's mobile penetration rate well below the global average of 86 per cent and nowhere near other developed countries such as the United Kingdom, which has a 97 per cent penetration rate, and the United States at 91 per cent.

Instead, Canada is on par with places like Vietnam and Mexico, and only modestly ahead of India, which has a mobile penetration rate of 63 per cent in terms of wireless use within major urban centres.

The outlook doesn't appear set to change in Canada, as 22 per cent of 16- to 60-year-olds here are considered "rejecters." Compared to the group identified as "prospects," which are people who intend to buy and use a mobile phone in the next 12 months, "rejecters" don't intend to take up cellphone use in the coming year.

"This latest evidence would suggest that the Canadian wireless landscape is in stasis, an idea that appears to be compounded by the fact that existing mobile phone users are reluctant to shell out more money on their next handset than the amount that they spent on their current one," TNS said in a release accompanying the study.

The study showed Canadians spend an average $102 U.S. for their phones, 41 per cent below the global average of $172 U.S..

One bright spot for wireless carriers in the study is the increased use of smart-phones — devices such as BlackBerrys and iPhones that offer functions such as e-mail, touch screens and keyboards.

Over the past year, the penetration of smart-phones in Canada has climbed to 21 per cent, up from 12 per cent, reflecting a global trend.
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Can...028/story.html

people just bought their cellphones from HK here....

Now, is that 70% of all Canadians, or do they mean 70% of Canadians in service areas? This country is big and a lot of people may not have the option of getting a cell phone because no service exists where they live.

^exactly, especially with Canada being a developed country with a well developed telecommunication system in place.

The growth rate in developing countries like China or India is high because it is simply a lot cheaper for governments to go wireless instead of landline

As far as this goes... HSPA is going to change a lot for the mobile industry... All i can say is things 'round 2010 is going to be pretty interesting...

so many blackberry users are newbs, cuz it's the "thing" to have... time to buy a device if you're going to use it. not "look cool". Most people in canada are fine to still have noikia 3390's

The big issue is how fucking expensive it is here vs. other countries. I'd opt for more than basic service if I could justify the expense.

also factor in that the wireless phone plan prices are much more expensive than other countries

To be honest, I can only see that kind of coverage being needed in major centres. After going back to my home town and seeing the mouth breathing hillbillies still mastering their Motorola StarTac phones I doubt the people back there need blazing mobile speed (as much as they need mouthwash)

that's mainly because we're NOT at the 90% range, and all our providers are essentially owned by the same/few companies.

QFT. Same reason why I'm the only person (out of 4 in my family) with a cell phone, and I opted for the "free" one with my plan.

Haven't jumped on the smartphone bandwagon for the same reason. Why pay $30/mo to use some tinyass screen when your unlimited broadband at home costs $10 more? (not only that, but someone in the group always has a smartphone you can use if needed ;))

I am really hoping the new players in the wireless network in BC succesfully pull it off. CDMA is going to die, and Rogers is going to realize real fast how many people actually hate them and are only using them because there's no GSM alternative.

I agree. It's interesting how the article fails to compare monthly wireless plans in Canada compared to the rest of the world. It does compare phone hardware prices, and claims Canadians get much cheaper phones versus the rest of the world. However, it fails to mention this is because of subsidized phones under long contracts which guarantee high cost monthly plans are paid. Providers in many other countries do not have such elaborate contract pricing.

Service is even hit or miss here in mid Vancouver Island.

That said, I'm a heavy mobile user and have a 3G AirCard that I pull 65gb/month through lol.

it's quite expensive to own a cellphone in Canada, with all the taxes and system fee you
have to pay, $35 per month is pretty much the minimum. Unless you want to go pre-pay
card.

Asia has monthly plan that is 1/10 of the price in Canada...that's why people are more
willing to talk more on the phone

You can get a basic 200 minute plan for $3 CAD a month here in Hong Kong, including fees. 900 minutes is as low as $5.60 CAD

Every time I read how much mobile plans are in Canada, I wonder how it even got to 68% or whatever it is.

I love how this article makes it sound like we're some 3rd world country because we aren't all heavily addicted to cellphones.

also, this "increased use" of smartphones is only a half truth, sure lots of people have them now, but hardly anyone I know has a data plan or any real use for the stupid things. my PAYG gives me unlimited web browser but all I really check is weather and scores, for anything else I require a minimum 15" monitor ;)

rate plans & additional options here tacked on with fees is such a rip

once you have been to other big cities/countries...Canada is a 3rd or maybe
4th world country in terms of cellphone usage.

Believe it or not, my aunt still shares the same old cellphone with my younger
cousin and my uncle. My elder cousin only had a $10 prepaid card when he
was in year 1, then got upgraded to $25 plan few years ago.

and remember data plan is for business people and nerds @ IT depts. A IT
friend of mine has his blackberry going all over North America, his company is
paying his bill around $1000 average per month. A regular college kid could
never able to afford that.

^ why don't they get him an unlimited everything plan? they're like $100/mo or something

maybe is wireless cost is cheaper, there would be more ppl..

also.. ppl get their phones from hk. I got mine from hk!

if that actually existed.
I'd kill to pay 100 to get unlimited everything...

^ Sprint has one in the States, the Everything Plan. surely the addons to a plan to get unlimited everything is less than $1k/month...