It’s unlikely that any senior Google executive will take very seriously Vodafone and Telefonica’s recent statements that they are thinking of charging search engines to use their networks.
Almost three years after the launch of the iPhone, it was clear at the recent FT World Telecoms conference that the mobile industry is still catching-up with the new paradigm the device has created.
The US Federal Communications Commission is taking its first look into the unregulated business of application stores, having sent letters to Apple, its US carrier partner and Google asking for answers as to why Apple blocked Google’s voice-over-IP (VoIP) application, which enables AT&T subscribers to make free voice calls.
MVNOs have a small but significant role in mobile markets. The overriding perception remains that they have the potential to disrupt network operators’ businesses, regardless of the actual damage they do to them. As such, the overriding perception among network operators is to be wary of virtual operators, unless they bring clear value to them that doesn’t threaten to diminish their own.
Vodafone UK’s launch of a Web application for the iPhone has caused much speculation that the operator is about to sell the iPhone in the UK, robbing O2 UK of its exclusivity with the device. If this were true, if would most likely mean that O2 decided not to meet Apple’s terms for retaining exclusive rights to sell the device.
3 UK’s introduction of free voice calls is the operator’s latest move to disrupt the business models of the incumbent mobile operators. What sets this move apart from 3’s other, equally headline-grabbing moves is that it strikes at what is still the heart of mobile operators’ business case: voice revenues.
The deal signed between Zain Kenya and Essar Telecom Kenya is a move that indicates operators in developing markets are following the lead of those in Europe by striking agreements to produce opex and capex savings.
Vodafone and O2 are discussing a network-sharing deal in the UK that would, if it gets off the ground, have major ramifications not just for the UK but also for the entire industry.
The Mobile World Congress was noticeably quieter this year but nonetheless produced a number of announcements that should increase the already considerable momentum behind mobile broadband.
What was significant, and encouraging, was a theme of companies forming partnerships. Although commercial gain is obviously the main impetus behind these partnerships, they should also have the desired effect [...]
More and more people in the industry are talking about how important it is to reduce the impact that telecoms companies are having on the environment. But saving the environment is easier said than done. And in this area as much as in any other, actions speak louder than words.
Great article James and I agree that mobile social network is huge for smartphone and data adoption and drives by ...
Indeed I did Wardell. Amended.
"Then again, the BlackBerry is not a Google-branded device so perhaps this is par for the course."
Did you mean the ...
Join the EFF ;-)
Well, I tell you Orascom is a very successful company, whereever it operats it creats jobs and growth aroond it. ...
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