Sep 12, 2017

Americans are hungry for data

A new Pew survey asked people the degree to which certain resources would help them access information to make better decisions. Consumers say they would benefit most from more mobile data, as opposed to library access or digital training.

Data: Pew Research Center, Survey conducted September 26-November 6, 2016; Note: First response based on users with cellphones, second response based on those with internet at home; Chart: Andrew Witherspoon / Axios
Data: Pew Research Center, Survey conducted September 26-November 6, 2016; Note: First response based on users with cellphones, second response based on those with internet at home; Chart: Andrew Witherspoon / Axios

Why it matters: The demand for mobile data has transformed the telecom industry and has put more pressure on media companies to create lighter experiences on mobile that won't eat all of consumers' data.

  • For telecom companies, mobile data demand has reordered the way carriers approach unlimited plans and their acquisition strategies. With half of Americans still listing mobile data as their highest demand, the pressure on carriers isn't going anywhere.
  • For media companies, the need for data means that consumers will continue to abandon slow or convoluted mobile websites or apps that waste mobile data to load. Data from Google suggests that 53% of consumers abandon a mobile site if it takes more than three seconds to load and 47% expect a page to load in less than two seconds
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