New iGR Study Details the Mobile Experience of U.S. Employees and Shows Opportunities for In-Building Wireless Solutions

Study, Sponsored by Ericsson and Fujitsu Network Communications, Is Available for Free Download on the iGR Website


AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwired - October 19, 2015) - It is understood that employees of U.S. businesses are increasingly using their mobile devices at work, but what exactly is their mobile experience? Which mobile devices and applications are used for various functions? Is LTE or Wi-Fi more often used and why? What quality of experience do employees report? And how would an improved quality of experience impact their mobile usage?

To answer these questions and fully understand the mobile experience of employees of U.S. businesses, in August of 2015 iGR, a market research consultancy focused on the wireless and mobile industry, fielded a web-based survey of full time employees of U.S. businesses who worked in a corporate campus or office environment. Survey respondents were required to work in a building and in specific industries.

The resulting study, which was sponsored by Ericsson and Fujitsu Network Communications, provides an analysis of the mobile experience of U.S. workers and importantly, quantifies how their mobile data usage would be impacted by improved mobile service.

Some of the major findings of the study include:

  • Over half of respondents would likely increase their mobile data usage if their in-building mobile data connection got significantly faster -- 53 percent if the price stayed the same and 55 percent if they also got unlimited mobile data usage.
  • Approximately half of respondents would likely increase their mobile device usage if they could use their device in all of the places in their workplace that they could not before -- 47 percent if their rate plan did not change and 53 percent if they also got unlimited data.
  • Thirty-eight percent of respondents said they would be very likely or somewhat likely to switch mobile operators if their colleague's mobile operator improved his/her voice and data coverage inside their building.
  • Some of the actions that would likely be taken if a mobile operator were to improve the mobile voice and data coverage inside an office or building include:
    • Forty-three percent of respondents said they would likely use their mobile device more while inside their building (possibly causing the need for an increased 'bucket' in their data plan)
    • Twenty-seven percent would likely upgrade their mobile data plan to include more data each month
    • Thirty-nine percent said they would likely upgrade to a better smartphone
    • Twenty-two percent would likely upgrade their laptop and 19 percent would likely upgrade their tablet
    • Eighteen percent would likely buy a tablet, and if that tablet were added to a mobile data share plan, that might cause the need for a larger monthly data allowance.

"Our new study found that improved mobile service while inside buildings would have significant impact on U.S. employees' mobile data usage and would also lead to increased spending with their mobile service provider," said Iain Gillott, president and founder of iGR. "And in-building wireless solutions can provide an improved mobile experience."

iGR's new sponsored market study, Demand and Opportunities for In-building Wireless Solutions in the U.S., provides an analysis of the usage of and demand for in-building wireless solutions. The study also details the current mobile experience of U.S. employees and highlights the opportunities that exist for mobile operators and device manufacturers due to improved mobile coverage that can be provided by in-building wireless solution.

The following key questions are addressed in the new research study:

  • What mobile devices are being used by U.S. employees at work?
  • Where are mobile devices used in the workplace and in which types of buildings?
  • How are Wi-Fi and mobile data (LTE) used in buildings?
  • Which mobile services and apps do U.S. employees use on the mobile devices while inside buildings?
  • What is the perceived mobile voice and mobile data experience for U.S. employees?
  • How would improved mobile data speed impact employees' mobile data usage?
  • How would improved mobile data coverage impact employees' likelihood to upgrade their device, increase their usage of LTE and possibly churn?

The information in this market study will be valuable for:

  • Mobile operators
  • Infrastructure OEMs
  • Mobile device vendors
  • Small cell product and solution vendors
  • Backhaul service providers and equipment OEMs
  • Enterprise technical personnel
  • Financial analysts and investors.

The new report, which was sponsored by Ericsson and Fujitsu Network Communications, can be downloaded for free directly from iGR's website at www.iGR-inc.com.

About iGR

iGR is a market strategy consultancy focused on the wireless and mobile communications industry. Founded by Iain Gillott, one of the wireless industry's leading analysts, in late 2000 as iGillottResearch, iGR is now in its fifteenth year of operation. iGR continuously researches emerging and existent technologies, technology industries, and consumer markets. We use our detailed research to offer a range of services to help companies improve their position in the marketplace, clearly define their future direction, and ultimately improve their bottom line.

iGR researches a range of wireless and mobile products and technologies, including: smartphones; tablets; mobile wearable devices; connected cars; mobile applications; bandwidth demand and use; small cell and het-net architectures; mobile EPC and RAN virtualization; DAS; LTE; VoLTE; IMS; NFC; GSM/GPRS/UMTS/HSPA; CDMA 1x/EV-DO; iDEN; SIP; macro-, pico- and femtocells; mobile backhaul; WiFi and WiFi offload; and SIM and UICC.

A more complete profile of the company can be found at www.igr-inc.com.

Contact Information:

Iain Gillott