In an attempt to shed a bit more light on the terminology of the weird and wonderful world of mobile, I have put together some glossary/explanation pages here:
Mobile Internet
Mobile Ticketing & Couponing
Mobile QR Codes
Mobile UGC
Mobile Social Media
Mobile Widgets
Mobile ad funded content and services
Mobile TV
Bluetooth Advertising
Thursday, January 31, 2008
UK Regulator to Look At Roaming Data Charges
About time too!
Following a recent report from the European Regulators Group, Ofcom, the UK telecoms regulator is too look at the charges for using data abroad.
The average price charged to UK users abroad was over £4 per megabyte, although prices of £7 per meg or more are charged to customers not on special tarrifs. The £4 also takes into account that some operators such as 3 have no roaming charges or lower charges where they have European partners.
Ofcom's Chief Executive acknolwedged that data roaming charges represented a significant barrier to business. With the growth of mobile email and smart phones, such as the i-Phone, it is the roaming charges that is ultimately the barrier to useage.
The report also noted that whilst calling and SMS roaming charges had come down, they are still over 3 times the cost of use at home. Not exactly a bargain.
Ofcom will be looking to see if it has the regulatory powers to deal with data charges
Following a recent report from the European Regulators Group, Ofcom, the UK telecoms regulator is too look at the charges for using data abroad.
The average price charged to UK users abroad was over £4 per megabyte, although prices of £7 per meg or more are charged to customers not on special tarrifs. The £4 also takes into account that some operators such as 3 have no roaming charges or lower charges where they have European partners.
Ofcom's Chief Executive acknolwedged that data roaming charges represented a significant barrier to business. With the growth of mobile email and smart phones, such as the i-Phone, it is the roaming charges that is ultimately the barrier to useage.
The report also noted that whilst calling and SMS roaming charges had come down, they are still over 3 times the cost of use at home. Not exactly a bargain.
Ofcom will be looking to see if it has the regulatory powers to deal with data charges
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Young people don't trust their mobile operator
Yes, shock horror! The surprise news is that young people have little trust in their mobile operator, little loyalty to them and will regularly switch networks.
In an extensive survey of 14-27 year old's in London, New York, Munich and Barcelona, many cited a 'lack of trust' as their reason for changing mobile operators.
Customers were nervous about the charges from using data services, and limited their mobile web access and wap downloads as a result.
Years of cynical pricing of data and for roaming has obviously put of many of their younger customers. The survey also showed that they are not attracted by fancy incentives such as mobile TV or other content. As with consumers of all ages they were interested in good customer service and clear, transparent pricing and billing.
It's not exactly rocket science, but once again, the networks have failed to understand how to keep their customers (in this case younger customers) happy.
In an extensive survey of 14-27 year old's in London, New York, Munich and Barcelona, many cited a 'lack of trust' as their reason for changing mobile operators.
Customers were nervous about the charges from using data services, and limited their mobile web access and wap downloads as a result.
Years of cynical pricing of data and for roaming has obviously put of many of their younger customers. The survey also showed that they are not attracted by fancy incentives such as mobile TV or other content. As with consumers of all ages they were interested in good customer service and clear, transparent pricing and billing.
It's not exactly rocket science, but once again, the networks have failed to understand how to keep their customers (in this case younger customers) happy.
Friday, January 11, 2008
ARTISTS AND LABELS INVEST IN FUTURE OF MOBILE MUSIC
Immedia24 carried out a survey covering a cross section of the music industry - from artists to record labels - has shown a high level of interest in publishing music onto mobile phones. 90% said that they were offering, or intending to offer mobile downloads of music tracks.
The company launched the survey in order to understand why only some sections of the music industry were selling or distributing to mobile.
So far mobile music sales has been through operator portals in conjunction with major record labels. With a large number of artists and independent labels completing the survey (50% and 20% respectively) it is clear they are looking for a route to sell direct to their fan's mobile phones.
Companies like immedia24 allow artists and labels to deliver content directly to the mobile user, without the need to go through operator portals or the major music download site. Although this gives the artist more control and greater revenue, over 30% of respondents didn't realise that it was possible to do this.
Whilst over 70% saw it as a means to distribute tracks and videos, an equal number saw it as an important medium in which to build an artists profile.
Important factors for a mobile delivery system were the quality of service and ease of use and technical support, along with the quality of the end user experience.
Issues of concern were the download speeds available on mobile along with the return offered by Premium. One responded said 'mobile still seems a bit clunky', whilst another felt that they didn't want to 'alienate fans with spam'.
Although nearly 78% of respondents said they would use MySpace music as a sales route, over half were not aware of other mobile channels such as Numo, Kodime or Immedia24.
Significantly, over 16% said that they did not want to use MySpace as a means to sell to mobile.
Mark Brill, CEO of Ping Corporation explained: 'It's clear that many people in the music industry see mobile music as an important element in their sales and distribution. The independent labels and artists are looking to do that without having to tie into operators or major labels. It is also interesting to see importance that they also place on mobile as a means of promoting artists.' The survey was carried out online by immedia24 between May and August 2007. Of the 150 respondents, 50% were artists, 20% independent record labels and 8% from major record labels.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Immdia24 is a mobile content and billing platform developed by London-based company, Ping Corporation Ltd. The company has been developing systems for messaging to mobile and content delivery since 2003.
For more information contact: Mark Brill Pingcorp/immedia24 - mark@pingcorp.co.uk
Also published at http://www.mobilemarketingmagazine.co.uk/2007/10/survey-reveals-.html
The company launched the survey in order to understand why only some sections of the music industry were selling or distributing to mobile.
So far mobile music sales has been through operator portals in conjunction with major record labels. With a large number of artists and independent labels completing the survey (50% and 20% respectively) it is clear they are looking for a route to sell direct to their fan's mobile phones.
Companies like immedia24 allow artists and labels to deliver content directly to the mobile user, without the need to go through operator portals or the major music download site. Although this gives the artist more control and greater revenue, over 30% of respondents didn't realise that it was possible to do this.
Whilst over 70% saw it as a means to distribute tracks and videos, an equal number saw it as an important medium in which to build an artists profile.
Important factors for a mobile delivery system were the quality of service and ease of use and technical support, along with the quality of the end user experience.
Issues of concern were the download speeds available on mobile along with the return offered by Premium. One responded said 'mobile still seems a bit clunky', whilst another felt that they didn't want to 'alienate fans with spam'.
Although nearly 78% of respondents said they would use MySpace music as a sales route, over half were not aware of other mobile channels such as Numo, Kodime or Immedia24.
Significantly, over 16% said that they did not want to use MySpace as a means to sell to mobile.
Mark Brill, CEO of Ping Corporation explained: 'It's clear that many people in the music industry see mobile music as an important element in their sales and distribution. The independent labels and artists are looking to do that without having to tie into operators or major labels. It is also interesting to see importance that they also place on mobile as a means of promoting artists.' The survey was carried out online by immedia24 between May and August 2007. Of the 150 respondents, 50% were artists, 20% independent record labels and 8% from major record labels.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Immdia24 is a mobile content and billing platform developed by London-based company, Ping Corporation Ltd. The company has been developing systems for messaging to mobile and content delivery since 2003.
For more information contact: Mark Brill Pingcorp/immedia24 - mark@pingcorp.co.uk
Also published at http://www.mobilemarketingmagazine.co.uk/2007/10/survey-reveals-.html
Monday, January 07, 2008
Iphone flops at Christmas despite hype
Maybe a bit of hype in the title, but no surprises that the iphone hasn't had the expected level of sales in the UK.
Although O2 enjoyed a major spike in iPhone sales in the week before Christmas, this was after disappointing sales from the much-hyped 9 November launch.
Most stores are believed to have missed iPhone targets by some distance, with a typical-sized O2 store selling just one iPhone per week.
There are probably a broad number of reasons for this - some are connected to the downturn in spending, others to their competitors (eg the LG Viewty). Ultimately, data charges not withstanding, and PDA style phone has a limited market and the iphone will never be as ubiquitous as Apple would want it to be.
Although O2 enjoyed a major spike in iPhone sales in the week before Christmas, this was after disappointing sales from the much-hyped 9 November launch.
Most stores are believed to have missed iPhone targets by some distance, with a typical-sized O2 store selling just one iPhone per week.
There are probably a broad number of reasons for this - some are connected to the downturn in spending, others to their competitors (eg the LG Viewty). Ultimately, data charges not withstanding, and PDA style phone has a limited market and the iphone will never be as ubiquitous as Apple would want it to be.
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