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[M572]Mobile Users In India

by Abbi Rouse, Abb

Research by moneysupermarket indicates that an estimated one in five (20 per cent) mobile users occasionally, if not all the time, have received a demand for payment on their phone which is more expensive than they had originally anticipated. Meanwhile, it was suggested that the mobile phone sector generates more than 8.45 billion pounds in revenue every year from consumers who are on an uncompetitive tariff.

Overall, it was revealed that the typical Briton receives 166 free voice minutes and 133 texts per month as a part of their mobile phone or top-up package deal. However, it was indicated that the average consumer uses 23 voice minutes and 23 texts above the inclusive amount they receive in their price plans, meaning that they are paying up to an extra 130 pounds per year.

Through an unawareness of how much they are being charged on the various features of their mobile contract, or in getting a bill higher than they had anticipated, it could be possible that consumers begin to develop difficulties in meeting other demands on their spending in areas ranging from personal loans and mortgages to credit cards and transport costs.

Rob Barnes, head of broadband and mobiles at moneysupermarket, said: "I'd advise customers to be more aware of what package they have and what's available to them. People should check their monthly bill regularly, if they're using up all their allowance it's worth considering a move to a different tariff with more inclusive minutes and texts. It could save a lot of money in the long run."

Mr Barnes added that the reason mobile phone providers are often able to offer competitive-looking contract deals to customers is through charging them for extra services. "As our research shows, many people don't realise how much these additional services cost and are being stung when their bill arrives. I would urge customers to read through their contract and ensure they are fully aware of all costs additional to their inclusive minutes and texts," he stated.

Research from the price comparison website also indicated that a third (33 per cent) of mobile phone users are unaware how much they are spending on voicemail retrieval services, while one out of seven do not know what their monthly line rental costs are. In addition, it was revealed that 42 per cent have no idea as to the cost of getting in touch with their provider's customer support department.

For consumers struggling to get to grips with their mobile phone bills and other demands on their spending taking out a low cost consolidation loan might be helpful. By applying for this sort of cheap loan it is possible that borrowers can pay off bills, credit cards and other loans into a single repayment.

This could be of particular use to Britons coming back home after a holiday. Last year, research by international mobile phone operator AwayPhone reported that despite moves by the European Commission to introduce limits those looking to use their mobile while abroad could pay "considerably more" than if they were back home.

Sherry Madera, chief executive of the firm, suggested that because of last summer's unseasonably poor weather more people are looking to go abroad in the search for some sun. However, she stated that "their enjoyment of their holiday could be severely compromised by the unpleasant shock of their phone bill when they arrive home".

Cell phones, PDAs, and similar devices have become commonplace. The number of mobile subscribers has now exploded to over 2.5 billion. In the course of this growth, many people have argued that such devices represented the new mode of advertising. Indeed, there was - and still is - much discussion about the era of mobile marketing and how it would replace other channels for advertising and content distribution. Among the channels supposedly in danger is our very own digital signage technology. However, I'm not convinced.

In today's article, I'll describe why mobile marketing and digital signage fit seamlessly with each other as a two-pronged approach to reaching an audience. We'll explore their collective value in tracking an audience's level of engagement and how they can work together in triggering a response.

Tracking Audience Responsiveness

One of the challenges that signage network operators confront is identifying the level of participation for a screen's viewers. A simple rotation of content and ads which lack a call to action to drive an immediate response cannot reliably track responsiveness. Fortunately, mobile devices offer a quick and easy solution.

The popularity of wireless devices practically guarantees that every person who walks by a digital screen is carrying one. This creates a perfect opportunity to blend the two technologies in order to measure participation. Content with a call to action that motivates a viewer to respond by sending a text message can be tracked. And if it can be tracked, it can be measured, tested, and improved.

Compensating For The Other's Limitations

In truth, both technologies are burdened with limitations. For its part, digital signage deals with a problem of retention. Similar to a 4th grader who forgets mathematical concepts once he leaves the classroom, a viewer who walks away from a digital screen immediately begins to forget what he has seen. This limits the influence of a signage network's content; if it is forgotten, it cannot generate a response.

On the other hand, wireless devices don't allow advertisers to reach a targeted audience. Everyone has a cell phone. Millions of people have PDAs. Aside from an openness to buying gadgets, there is little else for advertisers to use for segmenting. By contrast, digital signs that are located near certain stores or inside specific venues often draw targeted crowds. For example, a screen located in the entrance of a woman's shoe store will naturally attract a certain type of customer.

A Practical Application

To illustrate how these two technologies can work together to produce a measurable response, I'll use an example. Let's suppose that you operate the woman's shoe store mentioned above. You decide to run a sweepstakes offer across your in-store signage network. You'll ask shoppers a trivia question and instruct them to text message their answers to a phone number displayed on your screens.

Each shopper who participates receives a voucher for $10 off their next purchase. The voucher is sent directly to their mobile devices and expires within an hour. The shoppers who answered the trivia question correctly are entered into a drawing. The winner receives a $50 voucher which will also be sent to her mobile device.

Did you notice how blending the two technologies created a fast response mechanism, triggered an action, and yielded measurable results?

Growing Up Together

Both industries, digital signage and mobile marketing, are still developing. Owners of cell phones and PDAs are not yet willing to receive mass advertising on their devices. Network operators still struggle to create a response mechanism that can be tracked and measured quickly. But, when used together, each technology enables the other. Signage network operators would be well-advised to take advantage of mobile devices when developing their calls to action.

Article Source : Pg. 10

About Author

Both Abbi Rouse & Ryan J Bell are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Abbi Rouse has sinced written about articles on various topics from Personal Finance, Careers and Job Hunting and Diabetes Treatment. Abbi Rouse writes for All About Loans where visitors can apply for UK and also focuses on. Abbi Rouse's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.

Ryan J Bell has sinced written about articles on various topics from Customer Service, Free Credit Report Score and Asthma. is what Four Winds Interactive is all about. Check them out if you are considering digital signage for your business, hotel, school or c. Ryan J Bell's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.