Study Shows Consumers Go Online To Research, Find Free Phones

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- An analysis of research and purchase behavior of consumers in the wireless phone market released earlier this month revealed a growing reliance on online sources and retailers, and a distinct correlation between shopping online and finding high-quality free cell phones. The results indicate that many consumers use the Internet to research the newest or trendiest cell phone models, and that such research often leads to steeply discounted purchases, or, very often, entirely free phones.

The study produced a list of the top ten cell phones researched online, and includes many of the newest, most sought after models; the Motorola RAZR V3C and PEBL, the Palm E815 and 700W, and the Samsung A900 are among the cell phones consumers are most eager to search for.

In addition to appearing prominently among the most-researched cell phones, several of these models rank highly among Wirefly’s latest best-sellers, and were very often available at no cost to the consumer. In fact, according to the report, over two-thirds of the Sony Ericsson Z520A phones and the Nokia 6101 (T-Mobile) and 6102 (Cingular) phones were available for free through online channels. As the leading online retailer of cell phones and service plans, Wirefly is chief among those channels, and offers a multitude of popular and feature-rich free phones.

Top Ten Most Researched Cell Phones

ComScore Networks, a leader in the measurement and analysis of consumer behavior and attitudes, produced the data, gathered from the firm’s global panel of over two million consumers who have given permission to confidentially record browsing and purchasing behavior. ComScore compiled its “most-researched” list based on user visitations to specific product web pages and keyword searches.

About Wirefly

Launched in 2003, Wirefly (www.wirefly.com) is an online leader in one-stop comparison shopping for cell phones, wireless service plans and wireless accessories. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Simplexity, Wirefly is an authorized dealer for every major cellular carrier, including Cingular Wireless, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile and Sprint. Wirefly also offers discounts and services not available in retail wireless stores, including real-time online order status and tracking, and the guaranteed lowest price – online or anywhere else -- on cell phone devices from Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, LG, BlackBerry and many other cell phone handset manufacturers. Wirefly.com has been named Best of the Web by Forbes magazine as the “best all-around number portability portal” and “Best in Overall Customer Experience” by Keynote Performance Systems. For more information on Wirefly, its wireless products and its services, visit www.wirefly.com.

Launched in 2003, Wirefly is an online leader in one-stop comparison shopping for cell phones, wireless service plans and wireless accessories. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Simplexity. (NASDAQ: INPC), Wirefly is an authorized dealer for every major cellular carrier, including Cingular Wireless, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile and Sprint. Wirefly also offers discounts and services not available in retail wireless stores, including real-time online order status and tracking, and the guaranteed lowest price – online or anywhere else -- on cell phone devices from Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, LG, BlackBerry and many other cell phone handset manufacturers. Wirefly.com has been named Best of the Web by Forbes magazine as the “best all-around number portability portal” and “Best in Overall Customer Experience” by Keynote Performance Systems. For more information on Wirefly, its cell phones and its services, visit www.wirefly.com.