Survey Reveals - 15.7% of Bahrain Cellphone Users Have Multiple SIMs

A new Arab Advisors' survey of Bahrain's cellular users has revealed that multiple line use (two lines or more) stood at 15.7% of total cellular users. Respondents cited separating business use from personal use as the main reason behind multiple line use.

"This face to face survey revealed that 15.7% of cellular users own more than one mobile line; where 53.5% stated that the reason for owning more than one line is the need to separate their business lines from their personal lines." Mr. Issa Goussous, Sr. Research Analyst of Arab Advisors Group noted.

The survey further revealed that 56% of Bahrain's cellular users reported being aware of 3G cellular services. Of those who are aware, 36% use 3G services. 75.7% of those who use 3G services stated that they use it for video calling.

"38.9% of mobile users in Bahrain stated that they had changed mobile operators before. While 32.4% of cellular users stated that they would consider changing their mobile operators, users of Batelco and Zain reported high satisfaction levels with their service providers. 91.9% of Batelco's subscribers (and 89.1% of Zain's subscribers) were either satisfied or very satisfied with the operator's services. It must be noted that the small difference between the two operators is negligible as it lies within the survey's margin of error." Ms. Danya Nusseir, Arab Advisors Research Analyst said.

The survey involved face-to-face interviews with 550 respondents from different households in Al Manamah the capital, Al Janubiyah, Al Muharraq, Al Wusta and Al Shamaliyah, selected randomly in a manner proportionate to the estimated population size of these areas. Respondents were 15 years old and above, and were cellular service users.

Posted to the site on 22nd September 2008