Survey reveals dependence on mobile phones

A new survey has revealed that less than one-in-five mobile phone users can easily recall the numbers stored on their handset from memory.

The ICM nationwide survey of 1000 adults found that 84% of mobile phone users could recall less than half of the contact numbers stored on their phone, with 38% being unable to recall any numbers from memory. The figures are even more marked for those aged 45-64 with an average 52% being unable to remember any numbers at all.

Use of online 'phone books' for mobiles, such as Simguard, can help ensure that contact numbers are not lost in the event of the mobile being upgraded, mislaid or lost through theft.

Subscribing to such as service means that every contact in the individual's phone book is safely backed-up so if the mobile is lost, the contents of the phone book are texted back to the new mobile.

Managing Director of Simsafe, Philip Park, said: "We have been developing Simguard for the last 12 months utilising the latest internet technology. This year has seen the launch of WAP technology and picture phones, and 3G phones finally seem ready to hit the streets so many people will be upgrading to new handsets."

Rather than re-inputting all their phone numbers, subscribers to Simguard will be able to easily access their phone books and restore the numbers by SMS to their new handsets.

Mr Park added: "I continue to be staggered at the number of people who damage their phones by dropping them in the bath or down the toilet; an incredible 600,000 phones are ruined this way every year, whilst a further 400,000 are damaged when they are accidentally dropped into drinks. Whilst we can’t help them recover the handset, at least for our customers they won’ t lose their phone numbers too."

(GMcG)