SSI Adds ZIP Code Info to Cell Phone Sample

Sampling specialist SSI has launched a US cell phone sample methodology using a new process to identify the billing ZIP code associated with respondents' phones.

According to the latest NHIS (National Health Interview Survey), half of all US households are now wireless-only or 'wireless-mostly', and SSI says the new Wireless Screen Service is an answer to this problem.

Used in conjunction with the new Wireless Geo-ID tool, SSI claims that researchers will be provided with access to improvements in US cell phone sample efficiency and accuracy, previously only available for landline samples.

The tools were developed using billions of consumer-initiated transactions across the US, from nationwide phone carriers and hundreds of proprietary sources. SSI's testing found that the process detects 'working' wireless phone numbers by eliminating those numbers with no activity.

Jessica Smith (pictured), SSI VP of Offline Client Services, explains the implications: 'Clients will experience fewer wasted dialings, resulting in substantial cost savings, as well as better morale in the phone room - which we know contributes to higher quality data. And by using the Geo-ID process, clients can get something they've never had before: ZIP code information for their cell phone sample.'

Web site: www.surveysampling.com .