Connectivity and Mobile Trends Survey
Build it and they will embrace it
As US telecommunications companies and device makers plan strategies for rollouts of next-generation wireless technology, they’re looking to consumers to drive demand for faster, more reliable internet service. US consumers are ready for more when it comes to wireless connectivity, both on the go and in the home.
We invite you to read the report and explore the key survey findings.
About the survey
The inaugural edition of our Connectivity and Mobile Trends Survey provides insight into how five generations of US consumers are interacting with smartphones, connected devices, mobile technologies, and the internet, as well as their attitudes toward mobile and connectivity providers.
Generational breakdown
Gen Z
Millennials
Gen x
Boomers
Matures
Age 14–22
Born 2005–1997
Age 23–36
Born 1996–1983
Age 37–53
Born 1982–1966
Age 54–72
Born 1965–1947
Age 73+
Born 1946 and prior
34M
63M
70M
73M
28M
Consumers are preparing for 5G connectivity
and smartphone innovation
The report finds that consumers are ready for fifth-generation (5G) connectivity, and many are
prepared to begin using the service for their home internet as well as mobile data plans. It’s up to the telecommunications industry to roll it out to consumers.
KEY FINDINGS
Mobile connectivity: Performance and price matter most
5G could revolutionize digital entertainment
The battle for
the home
Consumers want better smartphones, with 5G part of the package
5G: A smart choice for a smart home
Privacy: Customers demand a better deal
To complete the picture around the devices we use, the way we connect to them, and the media we consume on them, check out our Digital Media Trends Survey.
Read the survey
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Digital media trends survey, 13th edition
Contact our industry specialists for additional insights about the Connectivity and Mobile Trends Survey.
Download the full report
Mobile connectivity: Performance and price matter most
Consumers are more or less satisfied with their
carriers—they most value network performance
and affordability. But that doesn’t mean that
carriers can afford complacency. As 5G is rolled out
in the United States, consumers will likely adopt the
service quickly—if it delivers on its promise of
faster speeds and better coverage.
Top two responses amongst all smartphone users:
31%
28%
Network performance
Price/cost
5G could revolutionize
digital entertainment
35%
The broader availability of 5G is expected to
be foundational for the demand and growth of
new services that benefit from fast connections
or even enhancing existing services. Consumers
intend to play more mobile and streaming video games and use augmented reality (AR) and
virtual reality (VR) in new ways.
If 5G were available,
more than 40%
of Gen Z and millennials would play more mobile video games
and about
would use AR/VR.
The battle for the home
To convince consumers to upgrade to
5G in-home connectivity, it will have to live
up to its promise of game-changing
speeds and bandwidth in home at a cost
that consumers find reasonable.
62%
of consumers
with home internet say
that they will likely replace
it with 5G Wi-Fi service if it
delivers speeds equivalent
to those of fiber.
Consumers want better smartphones, with 5G part of the package
Nearly one-third of surveyed consumers
have a smartphone that is two years old
or older. Could 5G-capable smartphones
spur the next upgrade cycle?
67%
of consumers
would upgrade to a 5G smartphone.
Privacy: Customers demand a better deal
People have awakened to the ways that companies routinely collect and
monetize their personal data, and they
are demanding a better deal when it
comes to their privacy and security.
84%
of consumers
believe they should be paid
by companies that profit
from their data.
5G: A smart choice for
a smart home
Home automation and control devices are poised to cross over into mass adoption—and 5G could provide the push they need.
28%
of consumers have at least
one home automation device.
11%
use three or more
control devices.
Download the full report
Download the full report
Download the full report
Download the full report
5G deployment: The chance to lead for a decade
Kevin Westcott
Vice chairman
US Telecom, Media & Entertainment
sector leader
Deloitte Consulting LLP
kewestcott@deloitte.com
Get in touch
Mic Locker
Principal
US Telecom, Media & Entertainment
consulting leader
Deloitte Consulting LLP
miclocker@deloitte.com
Dan Littman
Principal
Deloitte Consulting LLP
dlittmann@deloitte.com
Jeff Loucks
Executive director
Deloitte Center for Technology,
Media & Telecommunications
Deloitte Services LLP
jloucks@deloitte.com
Phil Wilson
Managing director
Deloitte Consulting LLP
phwilson@deloitte.com
Sign up for our Dbriefs webcast
Dbriefs Webcast
Mobile and device trends: Consumer shifts in new age
of wireless
Podcast: Connectivity and mobile trend
Consumers are preparing for 5G connectivity
and smartphone innovation
The report finds that consumers are ready for fifth-generation (5G) connectivity, and many are
prepared to begin using the service for their home internet as well as mobile data plans. It’s up to the telecommunications industry to roll it out to consumers.
Download the full report
Download the full report
KEY FINDINGS
Mobile connectivity: Performance and price matter most
5G could revolutionize digital entertainment
The battle for
the home
Consumers want better smartphones, with 5G part of the package
5G: A smart choice for a smart home
Privacy: Customers demand a better deal
Sign up for our
Dbriefs webcast
The inaugural edition of our Connectivity and Mobile Trends Survey provides insight into how five generations of US consumers are interacting with smartphones, connected devices, mobile technologies, and the internet, as well as their attitudes toward mobile and connectivity providers.
Generational breakdown
About the survey
Gen Z
Age 14–22
Born 2005–1997
Age 23–36
Born 1996–1983
Millennials
Age 37–53
Born 1982–1966
Gen x
Age 54–72
Born 1965–1947
Boomers
Age 73+
Born 1946 and prior
Matures
34M
63M
70M
73M
28M
To complete the picture around the devices we use, the way we connect to them, and the media we consume on them, check out our Digital Media Trends Survey.
Read the survey
Related content
2020 Media & Entertainment
Outlook
2020 Media & Entertainment
Outlook
5G deployment: The chance to lead for a decade
5G deployment: The chance to lead for a decade
Global TMT Predictions
US consumers are delaying their smartphone upgrades
US consumers are delaying their smartphone upgrades
User Friendly
podcast episode
User Friendly
podcast episode
Global TMT Predictions
2020 Media & Entertainment
Outlook
2020 Media & Entertainment
Outlook
2020 Media & Entertainment Outlook
Podcast: Connectivity and mobile trends
Podcast: Connectivity and mobile trends
Contact our industry specialists for additional insights about the Connectivity and Mobile Trends Survey.
Download the full report
Download the full report
Mobile connectivity: Performance and price matter most
31%
28%
Consumers are more or less satisfied with their
carriers—they most value network performance
and affordability. But that doesn’t mean that
carriers can afford complacency. As 5G is rolled out
in the United States, consumers will likely adopt the
service quickly—if it delivers on its promise of
faster speeds and better coverage.
Top two responses amongst all smartphone users:
Network performance
Price/cost
5G could revolutionize
digital entertainment
The broader availability of 5G is expected to
be foundational for the demand and growth of
new services that benefit from fast connections
or even enhancing existing services. Consumers
intend to play more mobile and streaming video games and use augmented reality (AR) and
virtual reality (VR) in new ways.
more than 40%
If 5G were available,
of Gen Z and millennials would play more mobile video games
35%
and about
would use AR/VR.
The battle for the home
To convince consumers to upgrade to
5G in-home connectivity, it will have to live
up to its promise of game-changing
speeds and bandwidth in home at a cost
that consumers find reasonable.
62%
of consumers
with home internet say
that they will likely replace
it with 5G Wi-Fi service if it
delivers speeds equivalent
to those of fiber.
Consumers want better smartphones, with 5G part of the package
Nearly one-third of surveyed consumers
have a smartphone that is two years old
or older. Could 5G-capable smartphones
spur the next upgrade cycle?
67%
of consumers
would upgrade to a 5G smartphone.
Privacy: Customers demand a better deal
People have awakened to the ways that companies routinely collect and
monetize their personal data, and they
are demanding a better deal when it
comes to their privacy and security.
84%
of consumers
believe they should be paid
by companies that profit
from their data.
5G: A smart choice for
a smart home
Home automation and control devices are poised to cross over into mass adoption—and 5G could provide the push they need.
28%
of consumers have at least
one home automation device.
11%
use three or more
control devices.
Kevin Westcott
Vice chairman
US Telecom, Media & Entertainment
sector leader
Deloitte Consulting LLP
kewestcott@deloitte.com
Get in touch
Mic Locker
Principal
US Telecom, Media & Entertainment
consulting leader
Deloitte Consulting LLP
miclocker@deloitte.com
Dan Littman
Principal
Deloitte Consulting LLP
dlittmann@deloitte.com
Jeff Loucks
Executive director
Deloitte Center for Technology,
Media & Telecommunications
Deloitte Services LLP
jloucks@deloitte.com
Phil Wilson
Managing director
Deloitte Consulting LLP
phwilson@deloitte.com
Kevin Westcott
Vice chairman
US Telecom, Media & Entertainment
sector leader
Deloitte Consulting LLP
kewestcott@deloitte.com
Get in touch
Mic Locker
Principal
US Telecom, Media & Entertainment
consulting leader
Deloitte Consulting LLP
miclocker@deloitte.com
Dan Littman
Principal
Deloitte Consulting LLP
dlittmann@deloitte.com
Jeff Loucks
Executive director
Deloitte Center for Technology,
Media & Telecommunications
Deloitte Services LLP
jloucks@deloitte.com
Phil Wilson
Managing director
Deloitte Consulting LLP
phwilson@deloitte.com
Sign up for our Dbriefs webcast
Sign up for our Dbriefs webcast
Watch our video
Dbriefs Webcast
Mobile and device trends: Consumer shifts in new age of wireless
Dbriefs Webcast
Mobile and device trends: Consumer shifts in new age of wireless
2020 Telecommunications Outlook
2020 Telecommunications Outlook
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cloud gaming
The future of
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