Submitted by Mike Grenville on Thu, 28 Feb 2008 10:20

A study suggests that over 70 percent of social network users said they wouldn’t join a social network launched by their mobile service provider.

The research, conducted by market researchers SSI for Martin Dawes Systems, polled 1000 UK business and personal mobile subscribers. It suggests mobile subscribers aren’t fully convinced about the relevance of social networks to their personal or business lives.

Social networking is attracting interest from operators but the research shows actual subscriber usage is less developed than previously thought. Over 70 percent of social network users said they wouldn’t join a social network launched by their mobile service provider. However, quarter of respondents said easier mobile access to social networks would increase their usage of such services, indicating social networking could drive take-up of mobile internet service and contribute to its growth for service providers.

The top activity when using a social network is reading friends’ sites followed by taking and uploading pictures and videos; activities facilitated by mobile devices. Women are more enthusiastic than men about using their mobiles to social network – for example, a third of women respondents say they would take and upload pictures while only 23% of men would.

Tony Wilson, Chief Operations Officer, Martin Dawes Systems said: “The industry is incredibly dynamic but it is essential that we listen to what customers actually want. "