2.5 Networks
Oct 2004: Media Mobility and Mobile TV

Oct 2003: Broadcasting to mobile phones on GPRS

The idea is not new, but looking at the latest mobile phones with color screens, and integrated SD memory slots, it could make sense.

First of all, we could look at a current mobile phone and say: "hey, this is a portable media storage device; we can store many realvideo clips on it!"

Threat:

Push services didn't work on the web.
Yes, we all remember the first internet push services like Pointcast or iFusion, where you were getting pre-packaged html channels with branded information (fake push services... since they were automatic pull services).
Fact is that people surfing the internet prefer to be active surfers... choosing the places where they want to get information....
But keep in mind that on the web people have a proper keyboard, a proper chair and they are willing to waste time because surfing is very cheap!

Opportunity:

On mobile phones, the story is very different:
- the keyboard is small and not easy to use;
- GPRS data charges have a huge impact on your monthly phone bill.

In light of the above facts, we can sense that broadcasting to mobile phones multimedia content for a monthly flat fee could result in a compelling service.

Pay Per View in your hand

May 2004: Japanese market

According to a report by industry analyst firm Gartner Group, "81.1 million cell phones (are) in use in Japan as of March 2003, meaning six out of 10 people now carry mobile phones." NEC Corp and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd remained Japan's largest and second-largest cell phone makers in terms of Japan sales in 2002 while NTT DoCoMo, KDDI, and Japan Telecom Co Ltd remain the largest network service providers.

Separately, a recent (April 10, 2003) report by the MultiMedia Research Institute Ltd indicated, "Japan's domestic shipments of cell phone handsets will likely edge up in the year to next March (3/04/03), with camera phones and high-speed third-generation (3G) handsets providing the main boost. Annual shipments in 2003/04 are expected to grow 0.8 percent to 41.3 million units."

Mobile massibely multiplayer online RPG

i-mode

NTT DoCoMo unveiled specifications of its new 505i mobile phones, a series of six enhanced-PDC (2G) compatible models equipped for advanced i-appli applications based on Flash and technology. Each 505i model also comes with a camera (with a resolution of 1 mega to 1.3 mega pixels), infrared port and external memory slot. DoCoMo expects to introduce the models one by one beginning in mid-May

i-mode apps

May 2004: KDDI Corp., Japan's second-largest mobile operator, is the first in the world to offer an instantaneous navigation service, based on GPS. Arranging a dinner party in a restaurant? Send your friends a message with the time and street address, and their phones will direct them to the right place. A third of KDDI phones are now equipped with the technology. NTT DoCoMo Inc., the biggest operator in Japan, does not offer a comparable service, but it sells two models with slightly slower GPS technology, and customers can use navigational maps via the Internet on its i-mode service.

4G Networks

June 02, 2003

4G is viewed by many as a communications technology that will allow one device to roam seamlessly over several different wireless technologies. Imagine a mobile phone that has wireless LAN connectivity, 3G connectivity and Bluetooth. This device could be programmed to automatically and seamlessly switch to whichever network is the most appropriate.

Intelligent combination of Bluetooth, Mobile Interntet, Location awarness services

3G Networks

March 2004: 102 million 3G CDMA Subscribers

Crossing the media: TV on your mobile


 
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