Livability linked to connectivity according to new Ericsson report
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, May 14, 2012 (Menafn - MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --* Residents in 13 major cities, representing 100 million people,surveyed by ConsumerLab
* Around 40% of people in cities use smartphones and rely on mobile information to solve day-to-day issues
* Mobile network coverage ranks fourth on a list of what cityresidents are most satisfied with
* Commuting is the biggest source of frustration; mobileinformation eases stress
In a new report by its ConsumerLab research team, Ericsson ERIC looksat the aspects of satisfaction in city life based onenvironment and social networking.
Among the findings are that people in megacities give mobile networkcoverage the fourth-highest satisfaction rating alongside waterdistribution and the availability of social spaces, ranging fromcafes to entertainment facilities.On the other hand, poor airquality and lack of parking can impact dissatisfaction.
"Urbanization is a global mega-trend. City populations grow by 7500people per hour, and people are clearly feeling some stress fromovercrowding. But we alsosee how people in cities use ICT as a meansto alleviate such feelings and to better experience city life," saidMichael Bjoern, Head of Research at EricssonConsumerLab.
Highlights for living in a city are the accessibility to restaurants,cafes,entertainment facilities, and markets. People in cities aremore socially active, and their social circles spread wider thanpeople not living in cities.
Low-lights have to do with crowds and traffic. The survey found thatthe average commute time in the 13 cities was two hours, twentyminutes per day. Bjoern said: "People are more relaxed when they knowhow long their commute will take, as this enables them to use theirtime more efficiently. Smartphones are becoming an invaluable tool onthe daily commute."
"Knowing the ways in which people choose to commute helps us todetermine what services they find the most beneficial. For example,people who commute by bikewould benefit from knowing where they canuse cycle lanes. Those who use publictransport would benefit fromreal-time updated timetables and travel planners. Or, for those whodrive, a GPS travel planner with access to real-time traffic datawould save considerable time and stress," he concluded.
The report was launched as part of Ericsson's presence at the NewCities Summitin Paris. #newcitiessummit.
The full report can be read here.
NOTES TO EDITORS
ABOUT ERICSSON CONSUMERLAB
Ericsson ConsumerLab is a knowledge-based organization that collectsand supplies consumer insights to influence and improve strategy,marketing and product management within the Ericsson Group. EricssonConsumerLab has more than15 years' experience in consumer values andbehavioral research, including the way consumers think and act aboutICT products and services. This insight helpsoperators to developattractive revenue-boosting services.
Knowledge is gathered through a global research program whichinterviews 100,000 individuals in more than 40 countries and 10megacities annually - statistically representing the views of 1.1billion people. This is based on both quantitative and qualitativeresearch, and hundreds of hours of in-depth interviews and focusgroups with consumers from different cultures. This research includesgeneral market and consumer trends, as well as in-depth insights intospecific areas.
To be close to the market and consumers, Ericsson ConsumerLab hasteam members working in almost all of Ericsson's market regions.Being part of the Ericsson Group gives the organization a morethorough understanding of the ICT market andbusiness models. Thisbroad knowledge is what forms the basis of Ericsson's credibility andintegrity. Ericsson ConsumerLab is able to share the big picture,with an understanding of where the individual fits in and what thismeans for future trends and services.
All ConsumerLab reports can be found on www.ericsson.com/consumerlab
Our multimedia content is available at the broadcast room:www.ericsson.com/broadcast_room
Ericsson is the world's leading provider of communications technologyand services. We are enabling the Networked Society with efficientreal-time solutions that allow us all to study, work and live ourlives more freely, in sustainable societies around the world.
Our offering comprises services, software and infrastructure withinInformationand Communications Technology for telecom operators andother industries. Todaymore than 40 percent of the world's mobiletraffic goes through Ericsson networks and we support customers'networks servicing more than 2 billion subscribers.
We operate in 180 countries and employ more than 100,000 people.Founded in 1876, Ericsson is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. In2011 the company had revenues of SEK 226,9 billion (USD 35.0billion). Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX, Stockholm and NASDAQ, NewYork stock exchanges.
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CityLife_ConsumerLab_pdf:http://hugin.info/1061/R/1611512/512608.pdf
Cities used in survey: http://hugin.info/1061/R/1611512/512610.jpg
Top5_Bottom5:http://hugin.info/1061/R/1611512/512611.jpg
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Source: Ericsson via Thomson Reuters ONE [HUG#1611512]
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