One in Three Doesn't Expect 3G Access at Summer Events

DUBLIN, Ireland, August 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

As Britain's summer of sport continues, Brits attending major events across the country are becoming increasingly frustrated by failing mobile services. A survey by CommProve^[1], a leading provider of network monitoring and business solutions for mobile networks, found that one in three people doesn't expect access to 3G services such as Facebook, Twitter, or web browsing at the Summer's major events.

The research found that only 68 per cent of phone users expect to be able to make and receive phone calls at crowded events, despite calling being the central and long established function of mobile phones. Despite heavy promotion by mobile handset makers and operators, users believe they are far less likely to be able to access mobile internet services. One in three doesn't believe they will have access to Twitter and only 42 per cent of users believe they will have Facebook access.

Though social networks have expected to be inundated with updates, as people tweet, photograph and video their way through the Summer events, CommProve's research shows that consumers are more sceptical and don't believe their network is capable of delivering these services to large crowds, particularly following the BT service outage, where users from across the country lost all mobile reception.

Though users believe Internet services are the least likely to work at the Summer's events, consumers showed particular frustration about losing traditional mobile phone services.

61 per cent of respondents to CommProve's research said they find it extremely frustrating when they can't make or receive phone calls and 55 per cent got extremely frustrated if they couldn't send and receive texts.

The growing consumer appetite for 3G access will please operator, 3, whose customers believed they would receive more reliable internet services (53 per cent thought 3's mobile internet could be relied upon at a major event) than any other operator.

Most users have become used to delayed messages on New Year's Eve, but the increase in services such as social networking, instant messaging and photo sharing through a mobile phone has made these outages more regular and the feeling of 'disconnection' greater than ever.

Lars Pedersen, CEO, CommProve, comments: "Mobile operators are finding it increasingly difficult to keep up service demand, and this is resulting in service failures at the most frustrating moments. Operators need to make their networks smarter at managing traffic and ensure customers never miss out."

^[1]The research, commissioned by CommProve and performed by an independent polling company, surveyed over 2000 people from across the UK.

About CommProve

CommProve enables mobile network operators (MNOs) to control financial performance, quality of experience and network performance using real-time cell awareness. The CommProve NetLedge platform provides real-time data acquisition and mediation while the CommProve Insight application suite collects and analyzes network usage information and integrates it with business rules and subscriber data to enable operators to maximize both customer satisfaction and profitability.

Headquartered in Ireland, and privately held since it was founded in 1996, CommProve customers include H3G, Telecom Italia, TIM Brasil and Vodacom. For additional information please visit http://www.commprove.com.

Analyst/media contact:
Stephanie Forrest
Tel: +44(0)7917695755
Email: stephanie.forrest@commprove.com
Twitter: @commprove