The high cost of computers and the price of mobile phone calls are acting as a drag on technology use by people in the Republic, a new survey shows. Meanwhile users of fixed-line telephones want lower prices, free local calls or a flat-fee system for all calls in a given period.

The Trendwatch Technology survey, carried out by Amarach Consulting, shows that Irish people are buying mobile phones mainly for social reasons. More than one in seven of those who did not have mobile phones said they thought they would get one in the next six months. Some 35 per cent said they wanted a mobile for social reasons.

The high cost of computers and the price of mobile phone calls are acting as a drag on technology use by people in the Republic, a new survey shows. Meanwhile users of fixed-line telephones want lower prices, free local calls or a flat-fee system for all calls in a given period.

The Trendwatch Technology survey, carried out by Amarach Consulting, shows that Irish people are buying mobile phones mainly for social reasons. More than one in seven of those who did not have mobile phones said they thought they would get one in the next six months. Some 35 per cent said they wanted a mobile for social reasons.

Of the far greater number who said they would not buy a phone, 42 per cent said they did not need one and 35 per cent said they could not afford the cost.

The Republic's mobile operators, Eircell and Esat Digifone, will also note the fickle nature of customer loyalty illustrated by the survey. Some 81 per cent of those with mobiles said they would definitely or probably switch operators if a rival one offered the same service for 10 per cent less. And 61 per cent said they would switch if they were offered the same service with a better quality of connection.

Some 68 per cent of respondents said they did not have access to a computer at work or at home. Of these, nine out of 10 said they would not buy a computer in the next six months, 68 per cent because they could not afford it and 30 per cent because prices are too high.

These results, which show significant numbers of people unable or unwilling to afford to join the digital revolution because of cost, will worry Government bodies such as the Information Society Commission and Forfas.

Telecom Eireann and its new competitors such as Esat and Ocean may also detect some impatience in the responses about fixed-line service. Some 38 per cent of those polled said they would tolerate more expensive long-distance calls if they could have free local calls and 23 per cent said they would prefer to pay a flat fee, equal to their current bill, allowing them unlimited calls whether local or long-distance.