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INQ Mobile Releases Mobile Data Usage on INQ1Jun 15, 2009 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) -- INQ Mobile, maker of the INQ1, a Social Mobile integrating email, IM and social networking, released data on usage of the INQ1 on the 3 UK network. The company's handset was built from the ground up with social media and internet services at its core. The company said that this close integration of applications and interface means that, for the first time, consumers are using an entry-level priced handset, often on a pay-as-you-go tariff, to access data at levels typically reserved for much more expensive smartphones. An average of 65 percent of INQ1 customers are using Facebook, with the majority of users accessing once a day or more. This level of mass market data usage on a well priced slider device means higher margins and ARPU for carriers because it is paired with lower subsidy and network load costs. INQ Mobile reported that: - The high usage of email on a non-QWERTY device surpassed all expectations. 30 percent of INQ1 customers are regularly using email, which shows that if it is easy enough to use people will access email even on standard 12 key devices using T9. This number also confirms that email can penetrate into the mass market, and not be restricted to high-end, expensive smartphones. The email service for 3 UK is provided by SEVEN, and takes advantage of the INQ API to provide customers with tightly integrated push email. - Windows Live Messenger usage is 3-4 times greater than on other 3G phones on the 3 UK network, with approximately 50 percent of INQ1 customers accessing the service every month. Skype usage is also high, at 19 percent of the INQ1 base. "3 have always led the industry when it comes to widespread data and mobile internet activity amongst the base but the numbers we're seeing on INQ's Social Mobiles really pushes us to a new, truly mass level," said Marc Allera, Director of Sales and Marketing at 3G only operator 3 UK. "The INQ results with high customer take-up of the integrated services, confirms that 3's strategy of delivering easy to use, well priced mobile internet solutions for everyone is right. If an internet communication service is well designed, always on, and simple to use then the take-up potential on mobile is huge. The reason people don't use internet services on most devices (except the iPhone) is because the user experience on nearly all devices isn't good enough. The INQ team has very successfully addressed this." "The iPhone and Blackberry are great devices, but it is important to remember that smartphones only make up 12 percent of the market. We see a huge opportunity to provide an internet and social networking experience on a handset that costs operators a fraction of what they're paying for higher end phones," said Frank Meehan, CEO of INQ Mobile. "Consumers with an INQ1 can get unlimited data, internet and texts on GBP15 pay as you go tariff. And now we have seen that they are actually using the phone to access data services like Skype, Windows Live Messenger, email and Facebook at an astonishing rate. We are very happy to see that the simple, well integrated approach we've taken to creating a Social Mobile is resonating with the other 88 percent of the market." ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) |