Data use is increasing in mobile phone: Oracle study

Sixty-nine per cent of global mobile phone users report using a smartphone and 47 per cent of mobile users have increased their data usage in the past year - a larger percentage than text or voice. A recent study operated by Oracle "Opportunity Calling: The Future of Mobile Communications - Take Two" shows this. This Study surveyed more than 3,000 mobile phone consumers worldwide to examine their mobile phone use habits, interest in new mobile technologies and expectations for service providers, said a press release. The Study also shows In 2010, more than 50 per cent of respondents thought their mobile phone would replace their camera, MP3 player or GPS device within five years. By 2011, 43 per cent of respondents already replaced their camera, 34 per cent their MP3 player and 24 per cent their GPS device with their mobile phone. Consumer demand for apps is growing significantly. Fifty-five per cent of respondents have downloaded a free app and 25 per cent have paid for an app on their mobile device. In addition, demand for apps is spreading from phones to other mobile devices, particularly tablets. Fifty-seven per cent of respondents already own a tablet device or plan to purchase one in the next 12 months, even though the technology is in its infancy.