The Cellular Spring

Lior Lehrs 

The first cellular phone company began operating in Israel in 1986, and since that time the mobile phone appears to have significantly changed our lifestyle. The cellular communications market in Israel has recently been placed on the public agenda following a series of reforms and changes in this area that are intended to increase market competition and lower prices for the consumer. 

According to data of the 2010 social survey of the Central Bureau of Statistics, 91% of Israel’s residents had a mobile phone. This figure compares to 85% in 2006 and 77% in 2002. The percentage of mobile phone owners in Jerusalem was identical to the national average (91%) and slightly lower than the figure for Tel Aviv (92%), Haifa (93%), and Rishon LeZion (96%). The survey results indicate that the percentage of Jerusalem residents who made use of other functions of the mobile phone was lower than the percentage for other major cities in Israel. For example, the data indicate that the percentage of Jerusalemites who sent a text message during the month preceding the survey (among mobile phone owners) was 54%, compared to 79% among Tel Aviv residents and 66% in Haifa. The results were consistent for Internet use through the mobile phone: 12% in Jerusalem, as opposed to 23% in Tel Aviv and 21% in Haifa. Regarding camera use through the mobile phone, the results were 44% in Jerusalem, as opposed to 58% in Tel Aviv and 52% in Haifa. 

The data indicate that a correlation exists between level of religious observance and possession of a mobile phone in Israel. Within the Jewish population, the percentage of cell phone owners among the secular (95%) was higher than the percentage among the traditional religious (91%), the religious (90%), or the Haredi (86%). Within the non-Jewish population as well, the percentage of mobile phone owners among the non-religious (92%) was higher than among the religious (90%) or very religious (67%). Analysis by age group also reveals differences. For example, within the age group of 20-44 years, the percentage of mobile phone owners exceeded 95%. Among those aged 65-74 years the percentage was 81%, and for those aged 75 and above the percentage was 61%. 

Statistical source: Analysis of data from the social survey of the Central Bureau of Statistics

Networked

Yair Assaf-Shapira

The Internet is used for a variety of purposes: information seeking, email correspondence, contact with friends, and more. Presumably some of you are even reading this column through the Web. Use of the Internet is relatively widespread, with 67% of Israel’s residents aged 20 and above having used it during 2010 and with usage increasing from year to year. In 2002, the first year during which the Central Bureau of Statistics' Social Survey was conducted, it was found that 32% of Israel’s residents aged 20+ had used the Internet, and in 2005 a total of 47% of Israel’s residents aged 20+ used the Internet.

During the years 2009-2010, a total of 52% of Jerusalem residents aged 20+ used the Internet. There is a significant difference between Jews (66%) and Arabs (33%), and among Jews there is a difference in Internet usage according to religious affiliation. The lowest rate of Internet usage was recorded in the Haredi population (35%). Among the Masorati (traditional religious) the rate of usage was 61%, among the secular it was 80%, and among the Orthodox the highest rate was measured – 84%.

As in the case of Israel’s residents generally, among Jerusalemites aged 20+ the most common use of the Internet was for the purposes of information seeking and email. Among Jerusalem’s computer users, 92% and 88% (respectively) reported that they use the computer for these purposes. Additional purposes were the downloading of files (58%) and discussion groups and chats (46%). Interestingly, many Jerusalemites also use the computer to access governmental services (38%), to shop (25%), and to make payments (23%).

Among Jerusalemites with mobile phones, 11% used the Internet through the phone, compared to 19% in Israel generally. The remainder opted not to use this service or had phones that lack this service. Presumably some of these are among the 39% of Jerusalem residents aged 20+ (27% among Israel’s residents) who claim that “the Internet is a waste of time.” Most Jerusalemites (65%) and Israeli residents (73%) held an opposite opinion, claiming that “use of the Internet is enjoyable.”

Source: Analysis of data from the Central Bureau of Statistics