Mobiles lose their magic as calls fall for the first time

 Add your view

Handy: But no longer trendy

The number of calls made on mobile phones has fallen for the first time, according to new research.

The figures suggest that the novelty of constantly being in touch is finally starting to fade.

It will also be good news for those tired of having train journeys, visits to the cinema and restaurant meals disrupted by idle chat.

The research shows the average number of calls made by pre-pay customers each week has fallen from 14 in 2006 to ten this year - a drop of 28.5 per cent.

The figure for contract phone owners has dipped from 35 to 27 - a drop of 23 per cent.

It is the first time the number of calls has fallen since JD Power started the survey ten years ago.

The industry analysts found that text messages and emails - which can be sent from some newer phones - are becoming more popular, possibly because they are cheap.

The average number of texts sent by contract customers rose from 32 a week to 46.

Lower call volumes have brought about a sharp fall in mobile phone bills. Monthly prepay costs have plunged from £19.29 in 2006 to £12.35 this year - a drop of 36 per cent.

Contract customers are spending 20 per cent less, £32.45 a month rather than £40.44.

JD Power's Caspar Tearle said: "Mobile phones have lost their position as a status symbol. At one time, people seemed to feel the need to justify the money spent on a mobile phone by using it all the time. But that has gone.

"People apparently no longer feel the need to wave them around and make calls in a 'look at me' kind of way. They have taken on board the message that making calls can be seen as a nuisance and quite rude.

"As a result, many have switched to alternative silent ways of communication, such as text and email.

"Once texting was reserved for the young, now everyone is far more comfortable with it." He added: "People are also more conscious of making them selves a target for thieves and muggers by using their handsets to make calls without good reason."

Youngsters also seem to be less interested in mobile phones than in other gadgets such as MP3 music players, games consoles such as the Sony PlayStation and laptop computers which can play DVDs.

It is also possible that the latest handsets have so many functions, including mobile television and music videos, that their owners have little time left to make calls.

The most advanced gadgets also double as personal organisers and Internet browsers, allowing users to log into their work emails.

The research, which was based on a survey of more than 2,000 people, ranked the major mobile networks in terms of customer satisfaction.

Virgin came out top for pre-pay phones ahead of O2 and Tesco. On contract phones, Virgin was again first, ahead of O2 and T-mobile.

The companies were assessed under six headings: image, offerings and promotions, call quality and network coverage, cost, range of handsets and customer service.

Networks have come under fire in recent months over the high cost of using handsets overseas.

The European Commission and MEPs have outlined plans to cap the charges which can be as high as £1.50 a minute. A decision will be taken in the summer.

 

What's on today   What's on tomorrow

Receive our newsletter