Metric: Only 10% of 3G subs use 3G apps

According to a recent report from TNS, of the 16 percent of U.S. mobile phone users that have purchased a 3G data plan, only 10 percent of them actually use their phone's 3G functionality. What's worse, 20 percent of handset users worldwide have 3G handsets but only 9 percent of those use the 3G functions. TNS chalks it up to education, carriers need to do more to let consumers know about 3G apps if they hope to make any money on them. TNS also likens the slow transition to the evolution of PC-based Internet services from dial-up to broadband.

For more on the TNS study:
- see this article from RCR