CCMI today released “The International Roaming Problem: How to Balance Cost, Connectivity, and Security Concerns,” commissioned by Truphone, the mobile operator for the international business traveler. The report, based on research gathered following a survey of more than 200 midmarket and enterprise companies, examines how these companies are attempting to control escalating international wireless roaming costs.

Companies today employ a number of methods to strike an appropriate balance between ease of use for the mobile worker and the cost of using non-domestic mobile network services.

Respondents indicated that modifying mobile employees’ usage behavior as the primary cost-management method employed. This strategy has met with a measure of economic success, but the resulting savings are being at least partially offset by some unfortunate consequences.

Key findings of the survey include:

• 34 percent of midmarket and enterprise companies are spending more than $1,000 per month per user on international wireless costs. Fifteen percent reported spending more than $2,500 per user per month.

• 52 percent of companies surveyed have a specific company mandate in place to reduce their international roaming costs.

• Behavior modification strategies helps on the billing front: 26 percent described these efforts as “very successful,” and 43 percent said they were “moderately successful.”

The report details the measures taken to modify user behavior, as well as other approaches to lowering roaming costs.

George David, President of CCMI, said, “The cost of international roaming isn’t exclusive to large, Fortune 1000 companies. This report tells us that a single strategy, such as modifying user behavior, isn’t enough to strike the right balance between cost savings and ease of use.” He added, “Companies of all sizes must explore alternatives to find the solution that allows for mobile productivity while controlling roaming costs.”

The study reveals other key findings related to roaming expenditures, alternatives corporations are using to offset roaming costs, travel trends, and more. Click here (http://www.ccmi.com/Roaming-Concerns) to download the full research report.

Additionally, respondents reported substantial wireless international roaming costs that were comparable to those the Fortune 1000 said they were experiencing in a similar survey conducted by CCMI and Truphone last year. See “Trends and Best Practices to Control International Roaming Costs,” (http://www.ccmi.com/Roaming) for a copy of that report.

About the research

CCMI conducted the research on behalf of Truphone, with a statistically significant sample size of 201 telecom expense management decision makers from midmarket and enterprise companies taking part. The purpose of the survey was to pinpoint the challenges these professionals face in keeping mobile end users connected while traveling internationally, as well as to understand the solutions or practices applied that keep users connected while balancing budgetary constraints.

About CCMI

CCMI provides specialized telecom data services and content-rich events to the communications service provider and enterprise markets. CCMI products are at the heart of network design, optimization and financial applications used by leading wireline, wireless and cable communications service providers. CCMI’s enterprise information service delivers independent market research and analysis, tightly focused educational webinars, a thought-provoking podcast, and industry-leading conferences. Learn more at http://www.ccmi.com.

About Truphone

Truphone is the mobile operator for the international traveler. Founded in 2006, the company uses innovation to drive convenience up and costs down. The company’s flagship GSM service, Truphone for Business, helps international business by delivering significant savings of typically 30-60% on mobile roaming costs. Truphone service works in more than 200 countries around the world, and offers multiple local numbers on one SIM card – allowing customers and contacts to reach each other without the fear of bill shock.

The company is also a pioneer in the mobile VoIP space. It launched the first downloadable mobile VoIP app for Nokia in 2006 and has since been the first on the iPhone, iPod, and iPad devices. Truphone supports all leading mobile platforms and devices including Blackberry, iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Nokia E and N series, and Android. Learn more at http://www.truphone.com/business.