Extensive Study Proves: Visual Communication is Tops in Tomorrow's Mobile World

A current study conducted by conVISUAL (based in Oberhausen,Germany) and the ISI GmbH (institute for sensory research andinnovation consulting in Göttingen, Germany) confirms that 14-25year olds are highly interested in new and innovative mobilecommunications services. Communication via SMS (Short MessageService) text messages is very important to this target groupwhen organising leisure time activities.

Oberhausen/Göttingen (ots/PROTEXT) - This study, whichclearly shows the trends in mobile communication, is the first ofits kind. For the first time ever, systematic and scientificresearch was carried out to establish how exactly young peopleuse mobile communication services. The results of this studydemonstrate to companies active in the mobile communicationssector just how strong interest in innovative mobilecommunication services like, for instance, the Mobile PicturePostcard is among 14-25 year olds. This clearly proves what couldonly be suspected up until now. Sending SMS text messages is the most popular way ofcommunicating The research results reveal that SMS has strongly establisheditself as a communication medium. Those surveyed said they sendan average of approx. 17 text messages per week. Almost 30 percent send more than 20 messages per week. 14-19 year olds are themost active SMS users. In this category, the average number ofSMS text messages sent per week was 20.3. Only 5 per cent ofthose surveyed declared they had never used SMS services. The study clearly shows that young people want simpler, fasterand more individual communication. Mobile communication serviceproviders can derive valuable hints from this study to assistthem in developing future services. Today's youth has extensive experience with mobilecommunication services. More than 50 per cent of those surveyed already have theirsecond or third mobile phone. 51 per cent of survey participantspossessed a Nokia mobile phone, clearly giving Nokia the largestmarket share. According to survey results, it can be concludedthat relatively few of this age group owned WAP-capable devices.Only every fifth participant possessed a device which offeredthis function. How young people use mobile communication services can bededuced from their preferred brands. Approx. 60 per cent of thosesurveyed have already sent ring tones, operator logos or picturemessages using their mobile phone. In particular, Nokia phoneowners make extensive use of the multiple range of pictures andlogos that their mobile phones offer. The study indicates that wecan expect this type of use to increase considerably in thecoming months, given the fact that other manufacturers are alsoincreasingly providing these services. The Mobile Picture Postcard feature fulfils the demand forindividual services According to these research results, the 14-25 year age groupis greatly interested in future developments in the mobilecommunications sector. Almost 80 per cent expressed an interestin new services and devices. At the very top of the young people's wish list isindividualised and more visually orientated services. Theparticipants were specifically asked about one of conVISUAL'sproducts, the Mobile Picture Postcard. The Mobile Picture Postcard is a messaging application whichpermits users to select, personalise and send greetings cards viatheir mobile phones or the Internet. In addition to text, thistype of greeting card also comprises graphics, animated picturesand sound. It is already possible to employ the Mobile PicturePostcard with every standard device. The greater the capabilityof the device, the more display options are available for thegreeting card. Another benefit: Users can choose between alreadydesigned or customised pictures with personal texts. Almost 70 per cent of the young people surveyed were very orextremely interested in this product innovation of theOberhausen-based visual messaging service provider. Approx. onethird said they would be prepared to buy in the near future a newmobile phone which fully supports the possibilities offered bythe Mobile Picture Postcard. With regard to the desired contents of Mobile PicturePostcards, the clear favourite is private pictures followed bycategories such as music, fun and jokes, and entertainment. Theseresults substantiate the current, general trend towards increasedpersonalisation of mobile services. For a detailed account of research results, please contact: Pictures Pictures accompanying this press release are available fordownload in the picture gallery in the press area on theconVISUAL website. conVISUAL - The Home of Visual Messaging Services. conVISUAL is the first Wireless Application Service Providerfocused on the realization of Visual Messaging Services. Throughan innovative product portfolio conVISUAL creates opportunitiesfor network operators, service providers, ISPs and mediacompanies to expand their businesses by leveraging theextraordinary potential of multimedia messaging services.conVISUAL's Multimedia Message Broker (MMB) is the intelligentplatform for the creation, personalization, conversion anddistribution of mobile multimedia messages. Using the MMB,conVISUAL operates numerous messaging applications, that aregrowing concurrently with the emerging multimedia facilities ofmobile devices: The MMB supports all of today's common messagingstandards, such as SMS, Smart Messaging, Enhanced MessagingService (EMS) and WAP, as well as future GPRS and UMTStechnologies such as the Multimedia Messaging Service. Based inOberhausen in Germany, conVISUAL employs a talented andexperienced team, concentrating highest industry excellenceincluding Ericsson, Mannesmann Mobilfunk, Nokia and TheronBusiness Consulting.

ots Original Text Service: conVisual AG Internet:http://www.presseportal.de Contact: conVISUALmedia contact Essener Strasse 2-24 Sandra Wiewiorra 46047Oberhausen, Germany Media Relations Manager E-mail:info@convisual.com, E-mail: press@convisual.com www.convisual.comPhone: +49 208 85 96 - 807

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