According to a new report from billmonitor.com, most smartphone users in the UK are on a data tariff far too large for their needs. I would argue this is more of a global “problem,” as users fear of “bill shock” that occurs when people go over their data limits. The findings, based on an anonymised analysis of 215,507 mobile phone bills, suggest that while half (49%) of all smartphone owners are using less than 100MB per month, 88% of smartphone users opt for a much larger monthly data allowance of at least 500MB.
However, with just 8% of smartphone users recently experiencing data charges, the fear of being charged a premium for going over one’s data limits is usually unfounded.
Some other findings include:
- During the past 18 months, mobile data consumption doubled from 71MB to an average of 154MB per month, which (as billmonitor notes) is still a much lower volume than the vast majority of consumers perceive they need.
- 24% of users may have had a smartphone for a while but usage levels of 100-250MB per month remain moderate.
- 27% of users are “power users” who wouldn’t want to be without their smartphone, consuming more than 250MB per month.
And you can get additional information from billmonitor’s report.