In our recent mobile marketing trends report we we noted a carrier statistic that 20% of US households are wireless only. Based on the CDC report below another recent stats it appears this number is quickly approaching 25%. This is important information for brands and organizations that want to reach consumers at home. As more and more households are wireless only consumers will have their mobile phone with them at all times. This will make it easier for them to interact with mobile promotions and opt in information they come across via print ads in magazines or mobile calls to action in TV ads.
This was aptly demonstrated as consumers utilized SMS to donate nearly $40 million dollars to Haiti during the recent earthquake crisis. Consumers were able to donate while watching the NFL playoffs and other programs that supported the Red Cross campaign. This is made easier by the fact that most people have their mobile phone with them while watching TV, especially in homes that are wireless only.
From FREDERIC LARDINOIS ReadWriteWeb
One out of four households in the U.S. is now wireless-only. According to the latest statistics from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of wireless-only households continues to move up slowly. In the first half of 2009, 22.7% of all households had cut their landline and today this number is closer to 25%. In addition, it is also worth noting that about 15% of households that still have a landline report that they now receive almost all of their calls on their wireless phone.
Unsurprisingly, younger adults under 35 are more likely to have cut their landlines, but the CDC also reports that the number of wireless-only households increased among all age groups. About half of all adults aged 25 to 29 now live in households that are wireless-only, though only 5.2% of adults over 65 have cut their landlines. Renters and adults who have roommates, by the way, are far more likely to live in households with only wireless phones than most other demographics.
For more detailed statistics, have a look at the full report here (PDF).
What Does This Mean for Developers?
For mobile developers, this is an interesting trend. While most developers tend to focus on applications that are meant to be used while on the road, the market for in-home apps that control appliances or allow you to program your DVR will only continue to grow over the next few years.