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Let's Stop Beating about Mobile TV - Think Consumer Need!

April 11, 2007

Analysis of:How to accelerate the adoption of mobile TV | telephonyonline.com

1) Much of the analysis on TV- particularly mobile TV – completely misses the basics of good product innovation.
2) Mobile TV suffers from many technical issues - but consumer need is at the heart of the problem. Despite the availability and low price of portable TV units in the 1980s/90s - watching TV on a small screen - especially on the go – has no history of success.
3) We need to focus more on what consumers are demanding for their mobiles, for instance the explosion of mobile gaming in India.
4) The success of mobile music owes much to the success of Sony’s Walkman and other portable music devices in the 1980’s – given the consumer need to be occupied/entertained when ‘on-the-go’ with the simple delivery of a good experience.

Apple Must Do More To Grow Legitimate Online Music Downloads

April 11, 2007

Analysis of:EMI, Apple offer protection-free downloads | www.msnbc.msn.com

1) The announcement by EMI and Apple may have been over-hyped since the key issues that consumers have is one of cost and then of inter-operability on devices.
2) The EC announcement against Apple accuses it of restrictive business practices since it is not offering equal access to products and services in individual EC countries.
3) It is hypocritical for Steve Jobs to call on the major record companies to offer tracks online without copy-protection software - as iTunes/iPod is the issues as it does not work with competing services or devices.

More Innovation is Required From All Operators

April 11, 2007

Analysis of:Fixed-Mobile Substitution Increases, Not All Carriers Benefit | www.wirelessweek.com

1. Primarily, this is a situation/opportunity for wireless operators. However, the key issue is for traditional fixed line operators – especially incumbents - suffering the double whammy of fixed to mobile substitution and VoIP. To overcome this, they must invest in their network assets and build a strong mobile offering.

2) For wireless operators to help secure revenues and aid retention – they are offering significant bundles of free minutes. But need to  build more relevant value added applications.
3) However, operators are aiming to drive voice usage by simple innovations – a more advanced example would be what Orange did with Wildfire voice recognition software.

Disney Should Improve its X-Platform Content Offering Not an MVNO

April 10, 2007

Analysis of:Disney integrates wireless into ‘giant marketing machine’ that is Walt Disney Co. | www.rcrnews.com

1) It is best that the rumours of a Disney MVNO remain as rumours as there is far too much risk in a launch for them.
2) There are few examples of successful MVNOs, Virgin Mobile in the UK is the one that springs to mind but there are clear, sustainable consumer drivers for it.
3) Where Disney adds value is in producing a ‘safe and trusted’ service for children and could do this in partnership with an existing operator.
4) However, Disney has more chance of success at being a content provider across platforms and making that experience as seamless and consistent as possible.

Yahoo! Still Must Focus on its Core Strategic Challenges

April 2, 2007

Analysis of:Strategy Analytics reports Yahoo! Offers Best Mobile Web Experience | www.mobiletechnews.com

1) Yahoo currently, replicates the traditional online experience well – but not significantly enough for consumers to substitute their behavior in any meaningful numbers.
2) Yahoo! has significant strategic challenges and is best to focus on these.
3) However, Yahoo! may revisit some of their previous partnerships such as with British Telecom and SBC in delivering convergent services.

‘Content may not be king’ but it is now in the realms of royalty!

April 2, 2007

Analysis of:Viacom in $1 bln copyright suit vs Google, YouTube | today.reuters.com

1) ‘Content may not be king’ but it is now operating in the realms of royalty as the Viacom and Google dispute is showing and the ongoing need of MSOs and telcos to differentiate their telecom and Internet products in the face of competition and commoditisation.
2) Viacom produces a good range of content – much of it is clearly targeted at the core online users. However, all established content producers are struggling for audience share in an increasingly fragmented digital TV space and are mainly losing viewing share in broadband households.
3) If what the original article states is correct then we can estimate that the potential basic online advertising revenue that Viacom has lost could be in the region of $60m.
4) Google has no option but to delay the formal integration of YouTube and the full launch of Google Video – until it has sufficient content deals in place and legitimate content on its site.
5) This is a great boost for all the independent content producers who can benefit from additional licence fees and interstitial advertising revenues - as well as the potential linkup with Google.

Mobile TV Services Need to Add Value (Sky TV in the UK)

April 2, 2007

Analysis of:Verizon Wireless Launches the First Commercial Mobile Television Service | internetcommunications.tmcnet.com

1) A boost to watching TV on mobiles may come from the unlikely source of Slingbox and place-shifted viewing of content the consumer already subscribes to.
2) There may be a model where MSOs in their quest for quadruple-play bundle DVB-H mobile TV services to help boost customer tenure and retain customers.
3) In the UK, Sky TV already do this with online and mobile content.
4) Sky has added value via its remote record. And so, it may be the ‘convergent services’ that add value to the mobile TV viewing proposition – and reinforce the value of the bundle. Whereas, pure mobile TV propositions may fail given relevance to consumer needs and viewing experience.

Wireless Broadband Services Continue to Stumble

April 2, 2007

Analysis of:WiMAX to roll across Texas | www.mobiletechnews.com

1) This announcement does not appear to be the major boost that WiMAX requires.
2) Wireless broadband services to date have provided poor connectivity and have not been a match for the combination of DSL and cable broadband services (at home) supplemented by wi-fi on the move (and 3G cards for business users).
3) Experience from the UK shows that wireless broadband services have not had a good reception. The Hong Kong based PCCW launched a wireless Broadband service in 2004 ( in a small part of the UK with attractively priced products. Plans to announce a nationwide service did not materialize.

Exclusive Content Deals will not Add Value to Carriers in the Short to Medium Term

April 2, 2007

Analysis of:Carriers Locked in Content Land Grab | www.brandweek.com

1) Many UK (and US) providers have traditionally leveraged their products layered with short-term discounting and a push marketing strategy. The needs to change.
2) To meet the challenges of maturing markets and build long term value (i.e. enhance loyalty) - a more ‘pull based’ customer led strategy focused on leveraging consumer insight is required.
3) Shortened development cycles and limited product innovation has seen the relative importance of content, and indeed exclusive content, in providing differentiation. However, m:metrics reported the low likelihood that users will pay a subscription for video.
4) Major wireless operators need ‘exclusive content deals’ and innovative products to distinguish their service. However, the major media companies require significant upfront payment and possibly a share of resulting revenue for exclusive content deals.

Well Thought Out Convergent Services Are The Way Forward.

March 30, 2007

Analysis of:Hard-To-Resist Triple Play Offers | www.forbes.com

1) We need to define convergence from a consumer perspective – and ensure that useful convergent end-services are delivered.
2) The end-game may be ‘multi-play’, i.e. one very high speed connection, one bill, multiple integrated services.
3) Many companies have a vision of a ubiquitous value network, with all devices connected so that you can enjoy content anytime, anywhere.
4) Convergence is not a myth when it focuses on well thought-out products that meet consumer needs.
5) It is conclusive that bundling (e.g. triple play) reduces churn, increases tenure, extends ARPU and maximises customer lifetime value. Clearly, the icing on the cake is the cross-product services such as the digital photos in Europe.
6) The article is absolutely correct in stating the case for increasing bandwidth. Providers are increasingly investing in traffic shaping and prioritisation software to better manage bandwidth – and ensure a good quality of service.

There Is Still Hope for Yahoo!

March 16, 2007

Analysis of:How Yahoo Blew It | www.wired.com

1) Yahoo has suffered from: a)  poor internal processes, b) not understanding and meeting consumer needs in a timely fashion, and c) not exploiting its significant assets.
2) However, as consumers' goals develop and their behavior changes with devices (over the long term) become increasingly connected – Yahoo (and MSN) may find themselves benefiting ahead of Google.
3) Yahoo has some strong assets in Flickr and some of its online services. As access providers look to differentiate and fight commoditisation, there is much value to be realized in owning content. Yahoo’s positioning in this entertainment sphere may yield dividends if it can move quicker. To change the game – one only has to look at image and video search.
4) It will be interesting to see how Panama develops and raises the innovation stakes for Yahoo. Without the cross platform/mobile and image/video search thinking it may be a touch too late though and time for Semal to move on.

Public-Private Sector Fibre and Services Partnerships in Europe

March 6, 2007

Analysis of:San Francisco May Take FTTH With Its WiFi | www.lightreading.com

1) Europe has a history of public sector initiatives that echo what is being proposed for San Francisco.
2) For San Francisco, I fail to see the underlying rationale for providing this infrastructure, when it is already well served.
3) In Europe, there has been much talk of fibre projects – but the only material one I know of is in Holland near Eindhoven where public funding was used to create a ‘Kenniswijk’.
4) However, there is a municipal project with social objectives that has launched well in London. In the Borough of Hackney, a public-private sector partnership between the local council and Homechoice has launched selling services under the ‘Digital Bridge’ brand.

Consolidation and the Differing Experience in the UK

March 6, 2007

Analysis of:Charter Boasts of Big VOIP Gains | www.lightreading.com

1) Indeed, networks that are scattered across a local geography result in significant operational inefficiency. In Europe, we have seen significant consolidation.
2) However, the basis of the original article focuses on Charter’s success with VoIP. In the UK, the quadruple-play of Virgin Media would be hard-pressed to follow this given cannibalisation of existing telephony revenues.
3) And so, there are fundamental differences in the US market which should be noted when applying US experience to the UK market.
4) The UK cable and quadruple play operator, Virgin Media needs to differentiate by further increasing broadband speeds and by bundling relevant value added services; whilst incumbent telephony operators and DSL providers (facing revenue squeeze and customer loss) are launching triple play propositions.

Dell may be better versed looking at Other Opportunities

March 6, 2007

Analysis of:Is Dell plotting a mobile move? | www.telecoms.com

Dell will come under continued pressure in its core markets. It may have to develop its professional services business and better service SMEs.

The Challenge in TV Advertising and Audience Measurement

March 1, 2007

Analysis of:Viewers Fast-Forwarding Past Ads? Not Always | www.nytimes.com

1) In the short term (1-3 years) this does not impact overall TV advertising spot pricing; however it will hasten the need for more accurate audience measurement. In addition, it is not 'another attempt to revive broadcast ad spend’.
2) Brands and companies still have a need to build awareness and provide ‘reasons-to-believe’ based on consumer-insight. And so, TV advertising will be essential. The challenge will be for the Creative and Media agencies to improve effectiveness.
3) In the UK – like the US – there is great affinity for DVR services. The data seems to reinforce the original article.

Yahoo desperately seeking positioning and a strategy!

March 1, 2007

Analysis of:Yahoo Loses, Founder Wins on YouTube Deal | blogs.business2.com

Yahoo! has been overtaken in communications (Microsoft IM and Hotmail and Skype VoIP), search (Google), community (News Corporation’s MySpace), as an entertainment portal (AOL and YouTube) and slightly less relevant retail (Amazon and eBay).

Mobile TV is Counter Intuitive to Consumer Expectation of TV!

March 1, 2007

Analysis of:European mobile TV users discontinue service more often than not | www.rcrnews.com

1) The research by M Metris should come as no surprise - though it will be interesting to see the effect of Verizon's V-cast TV mobile service.
2) For perspective, Virgin Mobile launched the first broadcast mobile TV service in the UK. Although, pricing was simple to understand and affordable and it featured a heavy above-the-line marketing campaign - it has not taken off.

Well Targeted High End Bundles Will Drive Customer Lifetime Value

March 1, 2007

Analysis of:Sprint Nextel ‘grenade:’ unlimited voice, messaging and data | www.rcrnews.com

1) Given the commoditised state of the fixed and wireless telephony markets and consumer desire to switch suppliers for better deals, we should expect to see operators launching bundles that aim to secure a greater share of a household's spend.
2) These higher value bundles are clearly targeted to the high-end segments. It is these customers with these high end bundles that have the lowest churn and greatest customer lifetime value.

 

Back to Basics! What Mobile can learn from other markets.

March 1, 2007

Analysis of:Mobile's newest killer app: Voice | money.cnn.com

1) We need to understand the cultural and consumer insights that have made other mobile value added services significant in Japan, South Korea - and even a developing market such as India.
2) European operators have looked at simple innovations to increase usage and revenue (stimulating a voice call).
3) It is unlikely that many wireless operators will make much of a push in the VoIP over wireless area given the inherent issues of voice quality and the increased likelihood of mobile to VoIP substitution.

The battle for online hearts, minds and eyeballs!

February 26, 2007

Analysis of:Google battles Microsoft head-on | money.cnn.com

1. The battle with Microsoft (and to a lesser extent Yahoo!) has seen Google offer partners better terms for ‘search deals’ - and so, it needs to diversify its absolute product line up.
2. Google's key competencies outside of monetizing online behavior are in forging partnerships and product innovation.
3. In Europe, Microsoft's reputation is improving given the well-received Vista launch, its Windows for Mobile suite of products and Xbox home entertainment center. Clearly leading to a two-horse race for online hearts, minds and eyeballs.

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