The Impact of the Mobile Phone on Work/Life Balance
The Impact of the Mobile Phone on Work/Life Balance
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Background
The AMTA/ARC study is an exciting collaboration to provide an evidence-based understanding of the social impact of the mobile phone on work/life balance. It is the first study that is specifically designed to provide nationally representative data on how mobile phones have become integrated into the everyday lives of Australians.
This innovative project employs a purpose-designed questionnaire, a phone log and a time-diary. Together, this unique combination produces direct information about how people use their mobiles to manage and coordinate their lives.
This preliminary report presents data collected March to May 2007 from our sample of 1358 individuals from 845 on-line households. When the data from the off-line household sample are added in the coming months, the total sample will be more than
1,000 households.
Key Findings
• The lowest mobile phone use is found among those aged 60 years or more, but the mobile phone is so universally diffused that use is unaffected by income levels and occupation.
• The majority of users are subscribers and prepaid use is concentrated among those under 25 years. Around a quarter of managers and associate professionals have their bills paid by their employer, whereas in other occupations around
10% or less benefit from employer support.
• Cost is by far the major reason given for choice of handset, while there is no single factor which explains the choice of service provider.
• ‘Convenience’ of the mobile phone is the reason most frequently given for choosing to talk on a mobile rather than a landline. ‘Cost’ is a major reason for preferring to talk using a landline rather than a mobile.
• There is a very high awareness of 3G (86% of males and 75% of females). But
61% of respondents indicate that they do not access internet services via their mobile phone. The lag in take-up is a topic for further research.
•
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Background
The AMTA/ARC study is an exciting collaboration to provide an evidence-based understanding of the social impact of the mobile phone on work/life balance. It is the first study that is specifically designed to provide nationally representative data on how mobile phones have become integrated into the everyday lives of Australians.
This innovative project employs a purpose-designed questionnaire, a phone log and a time-diary. Together, this unique combination produces direct information about how people use their mobiles to manage and coordinate their lives.
This preliminary report presents data collected March to May 2007 from our sample of 1358 individuals from 845 on-line households. When the data from the off-line household sample are added in the coming months, the total sample will be more than
1,000 households.
Key Findings
• The lowest mobile phone use is found among those aged 60 years or more, but the mobile phone is so universally diffused that use is unaffected by income levels and occupation.
• The majority of users are subscribers and prepaid use is concentrated among those under 25 years. Around a quarter of managers and associate professionals have their bills paid by their employer, whereas in other occupations around
10% or less benefit from employer support.
• Cost is by far the major reason given for choice of handset, while there is no single factor which explains the choice of service provider.
• ‘Convenience’ of the mobile phone is the reason most frequently given for choosing to talk on a mobile rather than a landline. ‘Cost’ is a major reason for preferring to talk using a landline rather than a mobile.
• There is a very high awareness of 3G (86% of males and 75% of females). But
61% of respondents indicate that they do not access internet services via their mobile phone. The lag in take-up is a topic for further research.
•