Hello !
I have eclectic interests spanning the mobile, internet and venturing domains and with altruistic intentions the attempt here is to air views on key global trends in these segments!
Views expressed here are purely PERSONAL and not necessarily of my employer = I haven't engaged a lawyer !
Comments, feedback and criticism are always welcome !
Cheers
Another operator lets down its guard and cosies upto VoIP !
The Skype/Verizon announcement demonstrates that mobile operators are beginning to change their attitude towards VoIP providers, they have gone from blocking to managing what they consider to be an issue. However, the majority of mobile operators have yet to make a firm decision, but market forces are such that mobile operators can’t avoid Internet-based VoIP
February 17, 2010 James Middleton, Telecoms.com
Internet telephony provider Skype and US carrier Verizon Wireless have joined forces to create a global mobile calling community.
From March, US consumers will be able to get Skype on a wide range of Verizon phones, including the BlackBerry Storm 9530, Storm2 9550, Curve 8330, Curve 8530, 8830 World Edition and Tour 9630 smartphones, as well as Droid by Motorola, Eris by HTC and the Motorola Devour.
The service will allow users to make and receive unlimited free Skype-to-Skype voice calls and send and receive instant messages.
Commenting on the announcement, Dario Talmesio, senior analyst at Informa Telecoms & Media, said: “The Skype/Verizon announcement demonstrates that mobile operators are beginning to change their attitude towards VoIP providers, they have gone from blocking to managing what they consider to be an issue. However, the majority of mobile operators have yet to make a firm decision, but market forces are such that mobile operators can’t avoid Internet-based VoIP.
“Those operators wanting to be serious players in the mobile Internet need to embrace openness and they need to allow Internet services on their devices - this includes VoIP. Blocking VoIP is a short sighted strategy. Those operators fearing VoIP providers need to be able to provide a compelling service competing with VoIP. Blocking VoIP simply doesn’t work for customers.”
Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer said he doesn’t expect acquisitions and mergers among large mobile-phone suppliers and that Microsoft is “doing well” with the partnerships it has.
“I don’t see the big boys in this market as very ripe for mergers and acquisitions,” Ballmer said in an interview in Barcelona, Spain, today. “One day, maybe somebody in some place with a lot of money wakes up and changes it, but that’s not me and that’s not today.”
Microsoft values its existing partnerships, Ballmer said, when asked whether it would make sense for the world’s biggest software company to buy a maker of mobile devices, such as Research In Motion Ltd. or Nokia Oyj. Microsoft today showed the latest version of its Windows mobile-phone operating system, adding video games and music features to stem market-share losses against Apple Inc. and Google Inc.
Unlike Apple and Google, Microsoft doesn’t plan to introduce its own mobile phone, Andy Lees, senior vice president at Microsoft’s mobile business, said at a meeting with analysts in Barcelona. Companies including Samsung Electronics Co., HTC Corp. and LG Electronics Inc. will make handsets running the Windows Phone 7 Series software, and such devices will be available for the year-end holidays.
The updated operating system has a new design and it connects with Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft’s Xbox Live online game service and Zune music service.
‘Next Level’
Microsoft’s Windows dropped to 7.9 percent market share in worldwide smartphone software in the fourth quarter, from 12.5 percent a year earlier, while Apple and Google had gains, according to ABI Research. The mobile-phone market is changing quickly, so Microsoft has a chance to turn things around, said Michael Gartenberg, an analyst at Los Angeles-based research firm Interpret LLC.
“The momentum was definitely going against them last year, but last year just doesn’t matter because things are moving so fast,” he said. “They need to come up with a compelling story that appeals to both business and consumer users. They need to be able to show they are taking this thing to the next level -- that this is not just a iPhone clone.”
Apple’s iPhone rose to a 16.6 percent market share in the fourth quarter from 10.8 percent the previous year, according to Oyster Bay, New York-based ABI. Google’s Android operating system climbed to 8.5 percent from 1.7 percent.
“Apple has done a nice job,” Ballmer said today. “But the smartphones today all kind of look the same. Everybody went ahead and kind of copied the user-interface approach of Apple and people will say Windows Phone 7 Series is different, the way we integrated Bing, Office, Xbox and Zune.”
Bing, Zune
Windows Phone 7 will work on touch-screen phones, and the software’s design resembles that of Microsoft’s latest Zune HD music and video player. The program includes access to Microsoft’s Office applications and lets users update their social-network sites and share photos.
Microsoft said all Windows Phone 7 devices will have a hardware button that opens Microsoft’s Bing search engine, which is trying to gain ground on market leader Google.
The phone connects with the Xbox Live online service so users can play games and see gamers’ profiles and achievements. A connection with the Zune service lets customers play content stored on their personal computers, as well as music online. The feature also includes FM radio.
Comeback Chance
Microsoft may regain momentum with the new software, said Bill Predmore, president of Seattle-based digital marketing agency POP, which helps clients develop mobile applications.
“It’s far too early to count Microsoft out,” Predmore said. Windows Phone 7 will probably be a program that people want to build apps for, particularly in the business area, he said.
“Windows Mobile was a serious contender a few years ago,” said Predmore, who counts both Microsoft and Google among his firm’s clients. “They did lose momentum, but they are good with developers and know how to build good software. Microsoft absolutely has a chance to redeem themselves.”
One of the biggest challenges facing mobile operators in the app-store space is competing with handset and OS players in global reach. The Wholesale Applications Community initiative unveiled today by the GSMA attempts to address this challenge
A few questions here though - (i) Will such a large group of mobile operators will be able to achieve the level of cooperation and integration required to make this initiative a success, (ii) the alliance includes fierce competitors and will they be willing to work closely together, (iii) would developers lend their support to this initiative given they have historically distrusted operators because of the unfavourable revenues share deals offered to them
In the past other well-intentioned GSMA initiatives to get operators to work together to enable global ecosystems for services have bared little fruit
Twenty four operators, accounting for over three billion subscribers on Monday formed the Wholesale Applications Community, an alliance designed to build an open platform for delivering applications to all mobile phone users.
América Móvil, AT&T, Bharti Airtel, China Mobile, China Unicom, Deutsche Telekom, KT, mobilkom austria group, MTN Group, NTT DoCoMo, Orange, Orascom Telecom, Softbank Mobile, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Telenor Group, TeliaSonera, SingTel, SK Telecom, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, VimpelCom, Vodafone and Wind are committed to creating the ecosystem, supported by LG Electronics, Samsung and Sony Ericsson.
The alliance plans to initially use both the JIL and OMTP BONDI requirements, evolving these standards into a common standard within the next 12 months.
Mark Newman, chief research officer at Informa Telecoms & Media believes that the operators behind the inititiative are hoping to capture the mass market for mobile internet services. Apple and RIM are already dominating the high end of the smartphone market but this only accounts for about one in five mobile users in Europe or North America. If operators can bring out €100 devices with a good mobile internet experience they may be able to sell data plans to more low-end users.
”However, I do question whether such a large group of mobile operators will be able to achieve the level of cooperation and integration required to make this initiative a success,” said Newman. “Some of these operators (for example AT&T and Sprint) are fierce competitors and have always tried to find ways of differentiating themselves in order to win market share.”
There is also the issue of whether developers will lend their support to the initiative. They are more interested in developing apps for Apple and Android and have historically distrusted operators because of the unfavourable revenues share deals that have been on the table. A number of the developers that we have spoken to would rather operators keep out of the applications development community entirely.
Guillermo Escofet, senior analyst with Informa, added: “One of the biggest challenges facing mobile operators in the app-store space is competing with handset and OS players in global reach. The Wholesale Applications Community initiative unveiled today by the GSMA attempts to address this challenge but operators will need to move rapidly to enable the “single point of entry” for developers sought by the initiative if they are to stand any chance of regaining some of the ground they have lost on the mobile-content front to the likes of Apple and Google.
“There have been other well-intentioned GSMA initiatives to get operators to work together to enable global ecosystems for services that have bared little fruit. As well as struggling with global reach, operators struggle to compete in terms of agility and the brand “coolness” necessary to attract a wide pool of developer talent.”
My first post in light humour but couldn't resist this one -
A woman writes to the IT Technical support Guy
Dear Tech Support,
Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and I noticed a distinct slowdown in the overall system performance, particularly in the flower and jewellery applications, which operated flawlessly underBoyfriend 5.0.
In addition, Husband 1.0 uninstalled many other valuable programs, such as
Romance 9.5 and Personal Attention 6.5, and then installed undesirable programs such as NEWS 5..0,MONEY 3.0and CRICKET 4.1.
Conversation 8.0 no longer runs, and Housecleaning 2.6simply crashes the system..
Please note that I have tried running Nagging 5..3 to fix these problems, but to no avail.
First, keep in mind, Boyfriend 5.0 is an Entertainment Package, while Husband 1.0 is an operating system.
Please enter command: ithoughtyoulovedme. htmland try to download Tears 6.2 and do not forget to install the Guilt 3.0 update.
If that application works as designed, Husband1..0should then automatically run the applications Jewellery 2.0 andFlowers 3.5..
However, remember, overuse of the above application can cause Husband 1.0 to default to Silence 2.5or Beer 6.1.
Please note that Beer 6.1 is a very bad program that will download the Snoring Loudly Beta.
Whatever you do, DO NOTunder any circumstances install Mother-In-Law 1.0 (it runs a virus in the background that will eventually seize control of all your system resources.)
In addition, please do not attempt to reinstall the Boyfriend 5.0 program. These are unsupported applications and will crash Husband 1.0.
In summary, Husband 1.0 is a great program, but it does have limited memory and cannot learn new applications quickly.
You might consider buying additional software to improve memory and performance.
We recommend: Cooking 3.0 and Hot Looks 7.7.
RIM ups the ante in the lucrative Indian market by dropping its monthly charges for unlimited mail and chat to INR 99 (US$2.1)/mth from INR 299 (US$6.4)/mth
[Keep in mind this is for the push email service and chat and does not involve any contract payments towards the handset as operators in India dont bundle and sell handsets]. Blackberry handsets in India start retailing at INR 14,500 [~US$ 300]
Captures the trends - preferences and choices of over 116 million mobile users across India!
Study based on over 220 million downloads on mobile across music, images and games Over billions of SMSs during the year have revealed that users send maximum messages on the New Year followed by Diwali, Dusshera and interestingly Friendship Day
High in humor quotient, Jab Dekho Phone Kar Dete Ho, an April Fool Joke is the most downloaded music ahead of Jai Ho of Slumdog Millionaire
Katrina and Aamir are the most downloaded Bollywood celebrities ahead of Kareena and Salman
Sachin Tendulkar is the most popular sports stars ahead of MS Dhoni
New Delhi, 24 December, 2009 :Bharti Airtel, presents India’s First Mobile Phone Usage Survey Airtel Mobitude 2009. This study captures the preference and choice of over 116 million mobile users located across India. Based on the compilation of data that captures all downloaded content by an Airtel Mobile user during 2009, Airtel Mobitude is an annual survey that will be released by Bharti Airtel at the end of every calendar year.
“Airtel Mobitude 2009 reflects the true choice of India. A mobile phone is considered by many as an intrinsic part of their daily life, be it a user in a small village or in a large town. It fulfills a consumer’s social and entertainment needs, from communicating with others, to downloading music, images and games.” Said, Mr. Atul Bindal, President- Mobile Services, Bharti Airtel Ltd., He further added, “With over 116 million mobile users, Airtel is best positioned to highlight the preference and choice of India cutting across geographies, demographics, genre and age. Our consumer usage analysis has thrown up very interesting results that truly highlight what an Indian prefers across the length and breadth of India.”
Spreading across different parameters, Airtel Mobitude 2009 highlights interesting choices and preferences of ‘Mobile India’. For instance, Katrina Kaif and Aamir Khan were the most downloaded celebrities on an Airtel mobile beating the likes of Kareena Kapoor, Salman and Shahrukh Khan. Surprisingly, the survey also showcased that mobile users prefer to download a lot of Hollywood celebrities’ as much as Bollywood superstars.
Airtel has India’s largest music collection across both mobile and digital categories. Over 200 million music downloads were completed by Airtel users in 2009. The study reflected that maximum music was downloaded by mobile users in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharastra and Punjab. Regional music was as popular as Hindi songs in all these States. Surprisingly Jab Dekho Phone Kar Dete Ho, an April Fool Joke is the most downloaded music ahead of Jai Ho of Slumdog Millionaire.
The Indian Cricket team still rules supreme in the popularity charts amongst (Male) sports personalities. International Tennis Player Rafael Nadal completes the top five in this category. In the women sports category, Maria Sharapova was the most downloaded sports personality ahead of India’s Sania Mirza.
Airtel Mobitude also captured the most connected occasion over a mobile phone. Users send maximum messages on the New Year followed by Diwali, Dusshera and interestingly Friendship Day.
Airtel Mobitude 2009 is a compilation of millions of downloads and billions of SMSs by Airtel customers across cities, towns and villages of India. The study offers yet another medium to conduct consumer behaviour studies that reflect a larger community of people across strata and regional boundary.
Categories of Airtel Mobitude 2009
Top 5 music (Old)
Top 5 music (New)
Ab Tere Bin Jee Lenge Hum (Aashiqui)
Jab Dekho Phone Kar Dete Ho (Prank Tune- April Fool)
As far as I understand, Bharti Airtel's app store is based on Cellmania mFinder white label solution.
Airtel's launch closely follows Aircel's app store launch with the latter being based on Infosys Flypp solution.
Support also for subscription billing starting with some content available for INR 1/day.
Web avtaar @ www.airtel.in/apps
Not to be left behind, Reliance also announced the impending launch of its apps store with the first version of the Reliance Applications Store (RWorld 2.0) slatedd to go live on GSM handsets as early as the month end; however, it will launch an expanded version across CDMA as well as GSM handsets later this quarter.
Bharti Airtel Press Release
Now, Airtel mobile customers can transform their basic phone into a Smart Phone by accessing over 1250 Apps across 25 categories for business, games, books, social networking and other needs
Easy single click purchase – with no credit card required - cost added to customer’s mobile bill or deducted from available talk-time
Starting as low as Rs. 5, local and regional Apps for customers across length and breadth of country
New Delhi, February 09, 2010 :Bharti Airtel, Asia’s leading integrated telecom service provider, today announced the launch of India’s first mobile applications store - Airtel App Central. Now, Airtel mobile customers can transform their basic phone into a Smart Phone by accessing over 1250 Apps across 25 categories for their business, games, books, social networking and other needs. Offering an easy single click purchase – with no credit card required – the cost is automatically added to the customer’s mobile bill or deducted from the available talk-time. Starting as low as Rs. 5, Airtel App Central will offer local and regional Apps for customers across the length and breadth of the country.
Announcing the launch, Atul Bindal, President - Mobile Services, Bharti Airtel, said, “As the undisputed leader in the Indian telecom industry, we are committed to constantly delighting our customers and offering innovations to enrich their experience. With the Airtel App Central - India’s first mobile app store- we are offering a one-stop shop open 24x7 to meet all our customer’s personal device needs. We are empowering our mobile customers to transform their phones into smart devices - with the click of a single button.”
The Airtel App Central has over 1250 apps available for download across 550+ devices categorized under 25 customer categories – both free and paid applications. Customers can choose from India Specific Apps - religion and devotional Apps such as Ayyappa the God to Bhakti ki Shakti where our customers can express their devotion to Maa Durga to Qibla which allows our customers to calculate the direction from anywhere on the globe to the holy city of Mecca. Old local favorites such as Book Cricket and Gilli Danda stage a comeback in a Mobile Avatar along with other Games and Apps around popular festivals such as Holi, Diwali, etc. There is an SMS Directory App which saves you the trouble of remembering formats and those difficult to remember numbers which are required to query for popular services and information such as your flight details, cross check your railway booking or even find out insurance details.
To experience the Airtel App Central, Airtel mobile customers can visit Airtel Live on their mobile phone and browse into App Central or SMS app to 54321 (toll free) to receive the URL.
Total Telephony base @ 562 Mn taking overall teledensity to 48%
19.1 Mn wireless additions (SIMs or connections is a better way to categorise this & not necessarily subscribers due to the dual/multi SIM phenomenon) in the month taking the overall base to 525 Mn
Total unique wireless subs estimated at ~450 Mn
Tata again led the pack with 17.5% of total wireless adds during the month followed by Bharti Airtel (15%), Reliance (14.7%) & Vodafone (14.6%)
It largely continues to be multi-SIM growth as nearly 16 of the 19 Mn adds came from the 4 Metros and Category A & B circles
Subs base of the newer operators end Dec - Tata [GSM+CDMA - though new adds are predominantly GSM] (57 Mn), Sistema (3 Mn), Telenor/Uninor (1.3 Mn)
Wireline subs base dropped further to 37 Mn
Broadband (> 256 kbps) subs base up marginally to 7.8 Mn
Unlikely to take off till the grant of the WiMax licenses though this could become a focus area for telcos given - (i) commoditisation of voice, & (ii) the passive infra deployment/sharing and thereby easing time to market
Since making its Ovi Maps navigation service available free to the masses in late January, Finnish handset vendor Nokia has racked up 1.4 million downloads.
In the wake of its 2008 acquisition of location and mapping firm Navteq, which it bought for $8.1bn, the world’s biggest handset seller made mapping and turn by turn navigation available for free to a potential 83 million users. Since the announcement on January 21, Nokia is claiming 1.4 million downloads of Ovi Maps, with the one million mark reached at the end of the first week.
The top five markets downloading the new version of Ovi Maps are China, Italy, UK, Germany and Spain. While the top five most popular Nokia devices installing the service were: the 5800 XpressMusic, N97 mini, N97, 5230 and E72.
“This is great news for our third party application developers. Within a matter of days there is an installed base of more than one million active users all potentially hungry for new and innovative location-aware apps,” said Anssi Vanjoki, executive vice president at Nokia.
“For the operators too there is a growing opportunity to sell more data-plans and a complete navigation package to existing and new customers,” he added, while Nokia said it is quickly activating a massive user base to which it can offer new location features, content and services.
At the recent re-launch of Ovi Maps in London, Vanjoki indicated that in the long term, Nokia hopes to gain greater revenues through the widespread adoption of Ovi Maps as a contextual platform for mobile applications, which will, of course, be sold through the Ovi store. Vanjoki said that Nokia believes the map should become “the user interface to our life,” marking another step toward positioning its mapping data and technologies as a key platform at the centre of applications.
And when asked about the potential revenue loss from making features such as turn by turn available for free, Vanjoki said the intention was to make a little money from a much bigger pool of users, than taking a lot of money from a smaller base. He also hinted however that in the long term, the platform would be good for mobile advertising, suggesting another, much hyped, revenue stream.
The big attraction with this new service is that the maps are available in on and offline mode. They can either be downloaded on the fly over cellular or wifi, or sideloaded in advance from the PC. Any maps that are downloaded are also cached so they don’t need to be downloaded again, and this goes for all the maps available for 180 countries. The service also features car and pedestrian navigation features, such as turn-by-turn voice guidance for 74 countries in 46 languages, and traffic information for over ten countries.
