In the 1980s, the home phone was a luxury item, but now it is almost standard. Your phone company runs a dedicated line to your home. You can call your friends and family on this line. Eventually, cordless phones became popular and allowed you to talk from any room in your house.
Millennials
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than two-thirds of millennials live in a home without landline phones. That number is higher than the overall percentage of adults in the U.S., And almost two in five millennials say that they prefer a smartphone over a landline.
Millennials, who make up nearly half the global population, are more likely to be glued to their phones than older generations. A recent survey found that a quarter of Millennials check their phones more than 100 times daily. Meanwhile, only a tenth of Baby Boomers checks their phones more than 50 times daily.
Millennials also tend to use social media extensively. A recent survey showed that three out of four Millennials use Facebook. In addition, millennials were much more likely to use Facebook than Boomers and Gen Xers, while less than half of Silents use the social network.
Older Americans
Smartphone usage is rising in older adults, particularly those with higher incomes. A recent study found that 81% of older Americans with household incomes of $75,000 or more own a smartphone, while only 27% do not. Smartphone use is also high among those with advanced degrees or some college experience, and nearly two-thirds of older adults with a high school diploma have a phone.
In addition to smartphones, older Americans also use apps and e-books on their mobile devices. Nearly every American owns a mobile phone, and almost half uses it daily. The most popular apps are home security, weather, and e-books.
Millennials Under 66
The number of Millennials under 66 living without a landline is increasing. The numbers are higher than the general population. More people are ditching traditional landlines in favor of wireless services. The CDC’s National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) reported that 66 percent of 25 to 29-year-olds live in a house with no landline. The number is higher among 30-to-34-olds.
Millennials under 66 want more personalized services, products, and brand collaborations. According to a recent survey, they consider brands that partner with trendy brands more interesting. While many businesses struggle to attract Millennials, a few can succeed by listening to their preferences and adjusting to their changing environment.
Northeastern Americans
A new survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals four home phone trends in the Northeast. One of the biggest trends is the increasing use of smartphones. In the Northeast, residents are far more likely to use their smartphones for public transit information. In addition, about 5 percent of households only have a mobile phone. Those households are usually elderly, or renters and are more likely to live in the Northeast.
Cell Phone Users
While the number of cellular subscribers is increasing in the U.S., most consumers remain loyal to their current service provider. According to a recent Florida PIRG Education Fund report, nearly half of cell phone users would change carriers if they didn’t have to pay early termination fees. However, the cost of switching carriers, often as high as $170 per phone, discourages consumers from making the switch.
Cell phone owners are increasingly connected to digital information on the go.
