ANNENBERG RESEARCH NETWORK ON INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION The Mobile Communication Society A cross-cultural analysis of available evidence on the social uses of wireless communication technology Manuel Castells Annenberg Research Network on International Communication University of Southern California Mireia Fernandez-Ardevol Internet Interdisciplinary Institute Open University of Catalonia Jack Linchuan Qiu Chinese University of Hong Kong and Annenberg Research Network on International Communication University of Southern California Araba Sey Annenberg Research Network on International Communication University of Southern California A research report prepared for the International Workshop on Wireless Communication Policies and Prospects: A Global Perspective, held at the Annenberg School for Communication, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, October 8th and 9th 2004. The Mobile Communication Society: A cross-cultural analysis of available evidence on the social uses of wireless communication technology Manuel Castells (USC), Mireia Fernandez-Ardevol (UOC), Jock Linchuan Qiu (USC), and Araba Sey (USC) Abstract This research report offers an analytical overview of existing research on the social uses of wireless communication technology. It seeks to provide a solid empirical basis for an informed discussion of the social uses and social effects of wireless in Europe, the Asian Pacific and the United States. Major themes explored include the deep connection between wireless communication and the emergence of youth culture, the transformation of language by texting and multimodalty, the growing importance of wireless communication in socio-political mobilization, and changes in the practice of time and space resulting from wireless communication. The authors wish to acknowledge the support of the Annenberg Foundation and of the Annenberg School for Communication for the preparation of this report. i TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction.........................................................................................................................................1 Section 1 Comparative Statistical Overview of Diffusion.................................................................4 1.1 Global Diffusion of Mobile Telephony ..............................................................................5 1.2. Regional Diffusion of Mobile Telephones .........................................................................6 1.3. Diffusion of Wireless Telephones in selected Areas and countries..................................13 1.3.1. Mobile Telephony in the European Union....................................................................13 1.3.2. Mobile Telephony in the Asian Pacific ........................................................................15 1.3.3. Mobile Telephony in the U.S........................................................................................21 1.4. Wireless Communication in Europe, Asia and the U.S. – Comparative Analysis ...........23 1.4.1. Mobile Telephony.........................................................................................................23 1.4.2. Wireless Internet...........................................................................................................29 1.4.3. Wi-Fi.............................................................................................................................32 1.4.4. Wireless Messaging......................................................................................................33 1.5. Factors Accounting for Differences in Penetration Rates of Wireless Communication Technology ...................................................................................................................................34 1.5.1. Economic factors ..........................................................................................................35 1.5.2. Geographic factors........................................................................................................35 1.5.3. Industry factors.............................................................................................................36 1.5.4. Government policy........................................................................................................37 1.5.5. Socio-cultural factors....................................................................................................37 1.6. Summary...........................................................................................................................38 Section 2 Social Differentiation of Wireless Communication Users by Age, Gender, and Socio- Economic Status in a Cross-Cultural Perspective.............................................................................40 2.1. Age....................................................................................................................................41 2.2. Gender...............................................................................................................................49 2.3. Socio-Economic Status.....................................................................................................55 2.4. Summary...........................................................................................................................60 Section 3 Analysis of Social Uses by Areas and Countries.............................................................62 3.1. Europe...............................................................................................................................63 3.1.1. The High Popularity of Mobile Telephony...................................................................63 3.1.2. Uses in Everyday Life...................................................................................................66 3.1.3. The Early Mobile Society in Europe: A Retrospective Perspective.............................78 3.1.4. Summary: Europe.........................................................................................................82 3.2. The United States..............................................................................................................84 3.2.1. Pagers............................................................................................................................85 3.2.2. Wireless Phone..............................................................................................................86 3.2.3. Wireless Data................................................................................................................88 3.2.4. SMS ..............................................................................................................................89 3.2.5. Characteristics of the US Wireless Communication Environment...............................91 ii 3.2.5a Corporate vs. Consumer Market...........................................................................91 3.2.5b “Phone, No; Wi-Fi, Yes” – The spread of Wi-Fi in the U.S.................................93 3.2.6. Integration of Wireless Communication into Everyday Life........................................95 3.2.6a. Growing attachment to wireless devices...............................................................95 3.2.6b. Cultural concerns..................................................................................................96 3.2.7. Impact of 9/11...............................................................................................................98 3.2.8. Summary: The United States ......................................................................................101 3.3. The Asian Pacific.................................................................................................................103 3.3.1. Japan ...........................................................................................................................103 3.3.1a. Why Mobile Internet?.........................................................................................103 3.3.1b. Connectivity, Sociability and Keitai...................................................................105 3.3.1c. Consumerism, Identity, and Sexuality................................................................108 3.3.1d. Gender and the Culture of Kawaii ......................................................................110 3.1.1e. The Formation of Social Norms .........................................................................111 3.1.1f. Summary for Japan .............................................................................................114 3.3.2. South Korea................................................................................................................117 3.3.2a. Structural Dimensions of the Mobile Culture.....................................................117 3.3.2b. Personal Uses......................................................................................................118 3.3.2c. Professional Uses................................................................................................120 3.3.2d. Summary for South Korea ..................................................................................122 3.3.3. The Philippines ...........................................................................................................124 3.3.3a. Manila’s Mobile Mania.......................................................................................124 3.3.3b. Generation Txt....................................................................................................126