Time as a limited resource: Communication Strategy in Mobile Phone Networks (1301.2464v1)

Abstract: We used a large database of 9 billion calls from 20 million mobile users to examine the relationships between aggregated time spent on the phone, personal network size, tie strength and the way in which users distributed their limited time across their network (disparity). Compared to those with smaller networks, those with large networks did not devote proportionally more time to communication and had on average weaker ties (as measured by time spent communicating). Further, there were not substantially different levels of disparity between individuals, in that mobile users tend to distribute their time very unevenly across their network, with a large proportion of calls going to a small number of individuals. Together, these results suggest that there are time constraints which limit tie strength in large personal networks, and that even high levels of mobile communication do not fundamentally alter the disparity of time allocation across networks.

Time as a Limited Resource: Communication Strategy in Mobile Phone Networks

The paper "Time as a limited resource: Communication Strategy in Mobile Phone Networks" investigates the dynamics of communication within mobile phone networks, focusing on the relationship between time allocation and personal network size. Utilizing a dataset comprising 9 billion calls from 20 million users, the authors explore how individuals manage their communication time across a network, emphasizing the constraints imposed by this limited resource. This analysis provides insights into tie strength and disparity in time allocation, shedding light on communication strategies in large personal networks.

Key Findings

The investigation reveals several significant patterns in mobile communication behavior:

1. Network Size versus Communication Time: Individuals with larger personal networks do not proportionally increase the time spent communicating, resulting in weaker ties compared to those with smaller networks. This saturation effect underscores inherent time constraints that limit communication within expansive networks.
2. Disparity in Time Allocation: Users consistently display a high level of disparity in their communication patterns, prioritizing a small subset of contacts within their network. This selective communication strategy remains invariant across diverse network sizes, negating the hypothesis that increased mobile communication fundamentally alters time distribution across networks.
3. Comparison with Randomized Models: The paper compares real communication patterns with randomized models, concluding that time allocation strategies exhibit minimal deviation from randomness. Thus, the allocation of time appears not to follow specific strategic patterns, but is instead a reflection of distributions seen across the population.

Implications

The findings carry implications for theoretical models of social networks and practical applications in telecommunications:

• Social Network Theory: The paper contributes to the understanding of social constraints, emphasizing limitations such as cognitive, time, and monetary constraints that affect network interactions. This aligns with Dunbar's theories regarding cognitive limits on social network size.
• Telecommunications Services: From a practical standpoint, users of mobile services appear to maintain traditional communication patterns despite the technological affordances that enable broader connectivity. Telecommunications providers can leverage these insights to tailor services that focus on strengthening highly engaged user segments.

Future Directions

While the paper provides a rigorous analysis of mobile communication strategies, future research can extend its scope by addressing:

• Integration of Other Communication Channels: Including data on text messaging or social media interactions may offer a more comprehensive picture of individual communication strategies, particularly in differentiating between nurturing strong ties versus spreading a broad network.
• Longitudinal Studies: An exploration into whether changes in mobile communication intensity can causally affect emotional tie strength could further elucidate dynamics within personal networks, particularly over extended periods.

Overall, this paper offers a detailed examination of communication strategies in mobile phone networks, underlining time as a pivotal constraint in shaping social interactions, and invites further research on the intricate balance of time allocation, network size, and communication technology.