Report: Majority Of Consumers Snub Mobile Content

While the entertainment and wireless industries remain bullish on the potential for mobile entertainment content, consumers are still slow to jump on the bandwagon, according to a report released today by IDC.

Nearly 75% of U.S. mobile subscribers didn't use any type of data service outside of text-messaging in the third quarter of this year. About one-fifth of consumers bought at least one ringtone in the period, and one in 10 bought either a wallpaper graphic or a game.

High prices are primarily to blame, says the research group. The survey found 47% of respondents said mobile data services are too expansive, and four out of 10 feel they overpaying for the services they do use.

Although mobile entertainment consumption rates increased for consumers who own higher-end multimedia phones, these users are the niche early adopters and not representative of the mainstream.