July 6, 2016
With wireless devices more prevalent than ever, National Cellphone Courtesy Month provides an opportunity for smartphone users to reevaluate their “mobile manners” and ensure they’re aware of common etiquette tips. A recent U.S. Cellular survey1 reveals the very people who get upset with others’ cellphone etiquette breaches may be just as guilty of the same offenses they are most annoyed by. These findings serve as a reminder to all users to be mindful of their own cellphone etiquette.
“At U.S. Cellular we believe mobile devices operating on a high-quality 4G LTE with nationwide coverage can improve quality of life and simplify tasks like traveling, shopping and staying up to date on the latest news,” says Nathan Waddell, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in Tennessee. “When cellphone etiquette is kept top of mind, people can make sure that their device use enhances the time spent with family and friends, as opposed to taking away from it.”
To help facilitate cellphone use that supports better connections, U.S. Cellular has developed a few easy tips for practicing good “mobile manners” in order to not annoy others:
Respond in a Timely Manner: No one likes waiting too long for a response to a text, so it’s best to glance at your text message inbox pretty regularly. In fact, 94 percent of smartphone users prefer a response within an hour, so it’s considerate to respond to any text messages in a timely manner.
Put the Phone Away While Walking: According to the U.S. Cellular survey, 57 percent of smartphone users are annoyed by people who focus on their phone rather than what is in front of them. Considering that 23 percent of survey respondents admit they have personally walked into someone or something while they were on their phone, it may be a good idea to put the phone away and focus on where you are going.
Enjoy the Company In Front of You: As annoying as it can be to see someone glued to their phone when they are on the move, 57 percent are annoyed when people seem focused on checking their phone when they are out and about with company. Forty-four percent admit to checking their own phones to avoid conversation. While in a social setting, it is good practice to put away all phones and enjoy time with friends and family, particularly in restaurants where 28 percent of people think that others have the worst cellphone etiquette.
While these suggested tips can help enhance mobile etiquette, don’t forget to also be mindful of other behaviors that cause frustration, such as texting late at night, leaving a voice mail instead of texting, calling in response to a text or texting in response to a voice mail, and even using abbreviations and emoticons.
U.S. Cellular offers device workshops for the entire community, including those who are not U.S. Cellular customers, providing a great opportunity to learn more about ways to access all the benefits of your smartphone without having it become too much of a distraction. Join the U.S. Cellular team on July 9, 9 a.m. at 4873 N. Broadway to learn more.
¹ Between Nov. 12-21, 2015, a total of 735 online interviews were conducted among a nationally representative sample by Consumer Insights, in partnership with Maritz CX.
Additional data charges may apply. 4G LTE service may be provided through King Street Wireless, a partner of U.S. Cellular. LTE is a trademark of ETSI.
About King Street Wireless, L.P.
King Street Wireless, L.P. currently holds 700 MHz wireless spectrum in 27 states and is partnering with Chicago-based U.S. Cellular to deliver high-speed 4G LTE service to U.S. Cellular’s customers in several of the carrier’s markets. King Street Wireless is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia where it is recognized for its involvement in its community both through its economic development and philanthropic efforts. To learn more about King Street Wireless, visit www.kingstreetwireless.com.
About U.S. Cellular
U.S. Cellular is the fifth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Chicago-based carrier has a strong line-up of cutting-edge devices that are all backed by a high-quality network in big and small cities and rural communities, and currently, 99 percent of customers have access to 4G LTE speeds. U.S. Cellular was named a J.D. Power and Associates Customer Champion in 2014 for the third time in four years. To learn more about U.S. Cellular, visit one of its retail stores or uscellular.com. To get the latest news, promos and videos, connect with U.S. Cellular on Facebook.com/uscellular, Twitter.com/uscellular and YouTube.com/uscellularcorp.
