In another forum I've been accused of being a Telstra-lover so to prove this is not the case I'd like to give Optus a big pat on the back for their recent announcement of $315m investment in expanding the coverage and speed of their HSPA network. Optus aims to reach 98% of the population by the end of 2009 and progressively give speeds of up to 42mbps.
So, Hooray. This will bring increased competition in the marketplace, offering greater choice and driving ongoing innovation of mobile services available to consumers.
This is a fairly predictable move by Optus, however while they are playing follow-the-leader behind Telstra, this is not necessarily a bad thing and as the challenger, this is what you'd expect. Thats my beef though, I don't think Optus has any other choice as the second-largest player in the market to match the technology evolution of its largest competitor, though kudos again to Optus for not waiting too long to do so.
However, if Optus don't start thinking about what mobile internet really means to their customers and to their business, they will struggle in the future. Just matching Telstra is not enough, Optus needs to innovate, not just replicate.
I love ALL mobile operators!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
NextG the World Beater
Sol Trujillo recently touted Telstra's 3G services as generating $20 more per user per month than their 2G offering. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,23651210-5013040,00.html
Supporting the 'incumbent' is always a fraught exercise however this underpins what I think is the main theme of the mobile industry.
Mobile operators ultimately use the same network technologies, however Telstra has understood in delivering the mobile-world to consumers, you need to give them compelling content and services that are tailored to work on the mobile, not just 'internet access'. Telstra has understood this with Foxtel MobileTV, BigPond music and a plethora of other services and their ARPU shows they are reaping the benefits.
People will consume mobile services, they love them and they're willing to pay, telco's just need to provide them and do it well.
Supporting the 'incumbent' is always a fraught exercise however this underpins what I think is the main theme of the mobile industry.
Mobile operators ultimately use the same network technologies, however Telstra has understood in delivering the mobile-world to consumers, you need to give them compelling content and services that are tailored to work on the mobile, not just 'internet access'. Telstra has understood this with Foxtel MobileTV, BigPond music and a plethora of other services and their ARPU shows they are reaping the benefits.
People will consume mobile services, they love them and they're willing to pay, telco's just need to provide them and do it well.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Imaginings
The thing I love most about the mobile industry is the fact that it continues to prove people wrong.
There were times (and some still live in those times) where we couldn't fathom all the things that we now do with our mobile phones.
Imagine a world where I can make phone calls from anywhere, with NO wires.
Imagine a world where I can send messages to my friends without having to ring and disturb them.
Imagine checking the weather, movie times and bus timetables when I'm out with friends.
Imagine doing my emails on the train to work without having to unfold my laptop.
Imagine having one device in my pocket that can play my music, take photos, surf the internet, make phone calls and show me on a map where I am and where to go.
Madness I tell you, madness.
What about watching the news or other TV programs, live without having to be in front of my TV
What about messaging my friends in real-time instead of asynchronous messages back and forward
Buying things with my phone instead of carrying a wallet
Checking my bank balance without going to a cash-machine
Projecting a screen and keyboard from my phone instead of carrying a laptop
GSM connections took 12 years to reach 1 billion, a further 2.5 years to reach 2 billion and 22 months to grow to 3 billion. That is the fastest growth of any industry, ever.
Where will we be in 10 years?
There were times (and some still live in those times) where we couldn't fathom all the things that we now do with our mobile phones.
Imagine a world where I can make phone calls from anywhere, with NO wires.
Imagine a world where I can send messages to my friends without having to ring and disturb them.
Imagine checking the weather, movie times and bus timetables when I'm out with friends.
Imagine doing my emails on the train to work without having to unfold my laptop.
Imagine having one device in my pocket that can play my music, take photos, surf the internet, make phone calls and show me on a map where I am and where to go.
Madness I tell you, madness.
What about watching the news or other TV programs, live without having to be in front of my TV
What about messaging my friends in real-time instead of asynchronous messages back and forward
Buying things with my phone instead of carrying a wallet
Checking my bank balance without going to a cash-machine
Projecting a screen and keyboard from my phone instead of carrying a laptop
GSM connections took 12 years to reach 1 billion, a further 2.5 years to reach 2 billion and 22 months to grow to 3 billion. That is the fastest growth of any industry, ever.
Where will we be in 10 years?
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