BuzzCity revealed the results of
worldwide research conducted with users on their portal, myGamma. Wireless consumers are eager to access new services via the mobile
internet. From m-commerce to mobile banking, respondents seem keen to
explore all available options, but are often unaware that particular
services exist. For example, more than half of the survey respondents
(51%) say they would use their mobile phones for financial services, if
such services were available in their country, and one-third would like
to be able to transfer money.
KF Lai, CEO of BuzzCity, states: "Consumers want to make payments
with their mobiles but many are not yet aware that these services
exist. Signs point to a need for marketers to share more
product-related information on the mobile internet."
m-commerce
More than half of those surveyed have made electronic
purchases, with one in five having purchased items via mobile phone.
Books, downloads and virtual gifts are the most popular items
purchased. Items for online gaming are also in demand, as are other
digital products such as movies and music. This suggests that myGamma
users are becoming very comfortable with the digital lifestyle. Twelve
per cent of users also express a significant interest in buying movie
and travel tickets via mobile.
Money transfers and remittances are in high
demand, with 37% of those surveyed requesting access to these
services. A further group of respondents would like to use their
mobiles for enhanced banking services such as share trading and foreign
exchange. Consumers would also consider using their mobile phones for
day-to-day services such as ordering groceries, paying café or
restaurant bills, and paying parking fees. One in ten respondents also
wants more services from their telco carriers, with a number of
respondents with pre-paid cards requesting top-up services via mobile.