WHETHER TO TETHER?
2011 News
November 3rd, 2011
Accessing the internet on your tablet via your smartphone has never been easier with Carphone Warehouse
With 48%* of people planning on purchasing a tablet in the weeks leading up to Christmas, Carphone Warehouse is helping customers get the most out of their new gadget. Tethering enables users to access the internet on their tablet through the connection on their smartphone. Working off a smartphone’s 3G data allowance, it is possible to turn the phone into a Wi-Fi emitter or internet hub, through which the tablet can connect.
Currently, only one in ten tablet owners tether their tablet to their smartphone, with just one in four (23%) intending to adopt this easy process in the future. However, as a great way to cut costs and enable internet access on multiple devices in and away from the home, Carphone Warehouse is calling on more people to take advantage.
Why bother to tether?
One of the major benefits of tethering with a 3G enabled smartphone is that it allows users to access the internet via tablets or laptops almost anywhere without the need to purchase a second 3G enabled device and contract. Tethering is extremely useful for people whose lives are on the go. Instead of having to hunt to find a Wi-Fi hotspot in a hotel or coffee shop, tethering allows users to simply connect their phone to the tablet or laptop and start surfing the internet in seconds.
It is even possible for smartphone users to make tethering their primary means of accessing the internet and completely eliminate a separate bill for internet service at their homes. Over time this could help save money and simplify the billing process. With 14% of tablet users finding the tariffs too complicated and 39% of tablet users think that buying a tablet with it’s own 3G internet connection too expensive, tethering is the ideal solution.
Who is tethering?
18-24 year old tablet enthusiasts are unsuprisingly most likely to tether to their smartphone with one in five (18%) already hooked up. So far only one in 25 or 4% of tablet owners aged 55+ are currently tethering; five times more than 18-24 year olds. However that number is due to rise in the upcoming months with an impressive 29% of prospective tablet buyers in the 55+ year old market.
Research has also revealed it is newer to the market Android tablet owners, such as Archos 101 and Samsung Galaxy Tab users, who are leading the way in tethering and are twice as likely (1 in 7 or 14%) to tether than owners of the Apple tablet, the iPad (1 in 15 or 6%).
Some of the latest deals on smartphones from Carphone Warhouse include a free tablet, meaning customers can enjoy a top of the range smartphone, tablet and internet access all in one affordable monthly price.
Samsung Galaxy Tab + Samsung Galaxy Apollo, free from £26 per month
The Samsung Galaxy Apollo is a fun smartphone that keeps you connected to friends and family. It comes with social networking and instant messenger apps, plus Samsung Social Hub - an exclusive Samsung app that delivers all of your messages and updates. This smartphone is perfect to connect with the entertainment friendly tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab.
BlackBerry Playbook + BlackBerry Curve 9300, free from £31 per month
The powerful, portable BlackBerry PlayBook tablet is lightening-fast and flash-enabled, giving you an uncompromised web experience. With streamlined multitasking you can move effortlessly between apps, and the secure connection to your BlackBerry smartphone lets you do what you love on the move.
HTC Wildfire S + Archos 101, free from £31 per month
HTC Wildfire S is a great phone for social media, web browsing and sharing photos. It’s compatible with the Archos 10, one of our best value tablets, which has a bulit in webcam for live, face-to-face video chats.
- Ends -
Available from Carphone Warehouse at
http://www.carphonewarehouse.com or 0800 925 925
For further information please contact Freud Communications:
Michelle Husain
T: 020 3003 6434
E:
Notes to Editors
*Research of 3,481 respondents conducted by YouGov between 29th July - 5th August 2011
• Carphone Warehouse is the largest independent mobile phone retailer in the UK, with over 800 stores nationwide
• Discover how to get more from your gadgets with eye openers from Carphone Warehouse. eye openers is a new YouTube channel which features videos of Carphone Warehouse team members sharing useful hints and tips on everything from laptops to Sat Navs to the latest mobile phones. With new videos being added each month, users can search through hundreds of videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/eyeopeners.