USERS KEEPING MOBILE PHONES LONGER

J.D. Power and Associates has released findings from a new study showing Americans are holding on to their mobile phones longer than ever.  Customers are keeping their phones 20.5 months, on average, which is 17% longer than in 2009.  It is the longest time period since the study began back in 1999 when the average amount of time was at 17.3 months.

There are probably a lot of reasons for the increase, but Kirk Parsons, senior director of wireless services at J.D. Power, feels the downturn in the economy has played a principal role.  Also, people are feeling their current phone is just good enough for now.  With 4G/LTE right around the corner, people are holding on to what they have so they won't be caught behind the curve when those technologies emerge in the marketplace. [Engadget]