GfK MRI: More than Half of U.S. Adults Live in Cellphone-Only Households

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More than half (52%) of U.S. adults live in cellphone-only households that have cellphone but lack land-line telephone service, according to new research from GfK MRI. That’s double the 25 percent of U.S. adults who were living in cellphone-only households as of 2010, the market research provider highlights in a press release.

Cellphone-Only Households

According to GfK MRI’s latest market research, more adult Millennials (23-40) – 71 percent – live in cellphone-only households than any other age group, up from 47 percent six years ago. The corresponding figure for seniors (65 and older) more than quadrupled over the period, rising to 23 percent.

At 55 percent, Generation X Americans (40-51) are the second most likely age group to live in cellphone-only households. The corresponding figure for Baby Boomers (51-70) came in at 40 percent.

GfK MRI also investigated the prevalence of cellphone-only status among ethnic and racial groups.

At 67 percent, Americans of Hispanic/Latino origin or descent are the most likely to live in households without landline phone service, relying solely on cellphones and wireless networks instead. Corresponding stats for African-Americans, Asian-Americans and Whites came in at 50, 54 and 51 percent, respectively.

Geographically, the South is home to more cellphone-only households than any other U.S. region – 57 percent. The Midwest followed at 53 percent, while the Northeast had the lowest at 39 percent.

Unsurprisingly, GfK MRI found that 57 percent of Northeast households have data and TV service bundles (a mix of two or more of TV, Internet and telephone service). That compares to 49 percent in the South and lower percentages in other U.S. regions.

“The Northeast’s lower incidence of cell-only households is likely related to its high levels of bundled television, Internet, landline, and cellphone services,” said Risa Becker, SVP of Research Operations at GfK MRI. “In other regions, we see a stronger trend toward cutting the telephone cord.”

In recent, related market research the Pew Center found that despite growing smartphone penetration, reliance on smartphones for Internet access is no substitute for home broadband. Smartphone-only Internet access is proving to be limiting in key beneficial aspects, including finding a job, as well as being able to take advantage of training, educational and lifelong learning opportunities. LINK: