Title: The characteristics of mobile data service users in Australia

Authors: Sangjo Oh, Song Yang, Sherah Kurnia, Heejin Lee, Marisa Maio Mackay, Kieran O'Doherty

Addresses: Department of Internet Business, Dongyang Technical College, 62–16 Kochuk-dong, Kuro-go, Seoul, Korea. ' Department of Information Systems, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, 3010, Australia. ' Department of Information Systems, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, 3010, Australia. ' Graduate School of International Studies, Yonsei University, Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Korea. ' m.Net Corporation, 8 Leigh St, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia. ' m.Net Corporation, 8 Leigh St, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia

Abstract: Mobile Data Services (MDS) are increasingly important as revenues from voice calling are decreasing for mobile carriers, and there are many predictions that the use of MDS will increase in Australia. To explore the characteristics of MDS users, we conducted a survey with over 6000 respondents in Australia. The findings show that age is the most important demographic variable which influences the pattern of MDS use. In addition, gender and household income have a role in describing each group|s consumption of MDS more precisely. We conclude the paper by presenting limitations of the study and outlining some possible future research.

Keywords: mobile data services; MDS; Australia; technology adoption; mobile communications; user characteristics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMC.2008.016578

International Journal of Mobile Communications, 2008 Vol.6 No.2, pp.217 - 230

Published online: 11 Jan 2008 *

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