Mobile Internet Set to Take Off in 2009

Looks like mobile tech is king for 2009 as more and more mobile users are saying cutting edge features in their devices is top priority.

A report from Nielsen reveals Mobile Internet in Malaysia is set to surge with more than half a million regular users currently, and more subscribers setting their sights on this ‘must-have’ technology feature for their next mobile phone.

“Generally it is males who tend to score higher on wanting emerging technology features in their handsets, but when it comes to mobile Internet, both genders are equal. This shows that this emerging technology is fast gaining mainstream acceptance,” according to Vinod Paul, Consumer Research Director of The Nielsen Company, Malaysia who oversaw the survey.

In terms of brand equity, Maxis and Celcom are leaders of the pack commanding a hefty percentage of brand equity being the two most preferred telco brand in the country. DiGi is doing okay mid-pack but needs to leverage more on its brand power. At the end of the scale, U Mobile brand equity is appalling garnering single digit percentage from telco users.

The survey also shed light on the psychographic profile of users across key mobile phone brands. “Samsung’s profile skews towards users 35 years and above and is concentrated on Chinese. Nokia owners are more mass-market and tend to be prepaid users. Motorola users tend to be experimental, hence can be easily swayed. Meanwhile, Sony Ericsson lays claim to a very attractive profile of young and high-spending postpaid users,” said Paul.

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