A recent survey by research firm comScore reported that in 2008 a smaller percentage of cell phone users cited signal quality as the main reason for switching service providers, compared to 2006. At the same time a larger proportion cited cost as the main reason for switching, up from 14 percent to 19 percent of respondents.

Alex Mindlin, writing for The New York Times, interpreted the results as indicating that "people are beginning to treat cellphone service as a commodity, its providers distinguished only by price."

This may be true for the general population. But, price may play a more complex role for wireless users with disabilities. For some, extra-cost software, higher priced devices, and extra services can push up the cost of being connected considerably. Their experiences may be the exact opposite of commodification - specialized features and functionality (like Mobile Speak for people with sight impairment) may put people with disabilities in a niche market. Indeed, commodification of features and functionality used by people with disabilities may be a more distant ideal that has not yet been achieved.

See the short New York Times coverage at: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/28/technology/28drill.html?_r=1&ref=technology&oref=slogin

Here's the link to comScore's press release, which provides additional details of the survey results: http://www.comscore.com/press/release.asp?press=2145

The Wireless RERC's Survey of User Needs has now received 1400 responses! Though this Survey will continue through 2011, we've already learned a great deal. It's clear that use of wireless technologies among people with disabilities is increasing, but cost is still the biggest barrier. Of those that said they don't have access to wireless products, cost was cited as the reason by 47%.

Another recent survey of cellphone users found similar results among the general customer population: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/28/technology/28drill.html?_r=1&ref=technology&oref=slogin

What do you think? Do the benefits of wireless products outweigh the costs? Is cost your primary factor for deciding on a service provider?