World Wide Worx's 'Mobility 2006' survey, being conducted with the backing of FNB, Virgin Mobile, and Verizon Business, will include interviews with thousands of South Africans on the buying and use of cellular phones and other mobile technology.

'SA consumers are confused by claims made by network operators. We have put our weight behind the study, because we see it making a powerful contribution to the debate about how the consumers are being ripped off by some network operators,' says Sajeed Sacranie, CEO of Virgin Mobile SA. 'We expect that the study will help to clear the fog and also reveal the truth behind many claims made about local cellular users, from how many there are, to how well they are treated by their networks.'

Len Pienaar, CEO of Mobile and Transact Solutions at FNB, which is sponsoring the project for the second year running, believes the study will also offer new insights into the needs of local cellular users.

'Although we have started a revolution with the launch of cell phone banking in March 2005, there is still a long road ahead of us,' he says. 'It is now, more than ever, important that we understand what customers' needs and wants are when using their cell phones for banking, and what is preventing them from using it.'

The project is being conducted in three phases, covering consumers, small business and corporate use of mobile technologies. The study will be concluded in September, with the findings released in phases. The results of the consumer phase will be revealed at a conference on the future of mobile communications, to be held on Sept. 14 in Johannesburg.