Because they spend so much time with their mobile phones, people are far more familiar with the features than that of office phones, said the firm's research director Robin Simpson at a briefing on future technology trends on Wednesday.

Citing an example, he noted: 'When looking to contact someone they frequently turn to their mobile device before their desk phone?on those increasingly rare occasions when they are actually sitting at their desk.'

Anecdotal evidence also showed that knowledge workers were more likely to know how to retrieve messages from their mobile phones than say, their high-tech US$300 (S$451) digital deskphone's voice-mail system, said Mr Simpson.

'It is simply human nature to use a tool you are more familiar with, because it is more convenient and faster for you.'

The mobile is also suitable for today's busy, on-the-go executives as they won't have to worry if they are at their desk, he added.

Those most likely to abandon their desk phones are the younger 'digital natives' who grew up using mobile phones from young and now treat their mobile phones as their primary phone rather than a fixed-line phone, he said.

This is also likely to be true for workers whose companies pay for their mobile bills, and even those who pay their own mobile bills.

'People are impatient, they want things now, even if they have to pay for it,' he explained.

In Singapore, at least one organisation - the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) - has begun this migration.

Some of its officers no longer have desk phones, and their business cards list a company-issued mobile number.

The Straits Times understands that not all MDA staff have gone the mobile route though.