In its Mobile Life 2013 survey, TNS found that 51% of Philippine respondents perceive mobile data rates as "still too expensive", Joseph Webb, head of digital at TNS Greater China, said in a briefing in Makati.
"There's actually quite a big gap between those who can afford to access the Internet when they want to and those who are very careful about it," Webb said.
"It doesn't mean they don't do anything [on their smartphones]...It just means they do a little bit less than they would otherwise," he continued.
Thus, Filipinos owning smartphones are more keen in using public wi-fi due to high prices of mobile Internet and as the telco infrastructure are also found to be lacking, Webb said.
"Fifty-seven percent [of Filipino respondents] said free wi-fi has encouraged them to use data to communicate," Webb said.
The study showed 53% of Filipinos own a smartphone, mostly used for sending text messages, listening to music, taking photos and videos, and playing games.
"Some people, they do more entertainment activities... particularly because they don't have a separate camera or separate game console," Webb explained.
Looking at the Philippines, a key trend seen is the shift to using "Internet on the go", Webb said.
"Mobile is still the world's must-have device...This is a huge opportunity for branded services and gives you new ways to engage," he recounted.
TNS Mobile Life 2013 surveyed 38,000 respondents, 500 of which were from Metro Manila. Data gathering was done between November last year to January this year.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
