The falling prices of GPRS and 3G handsets, notebook modems, handhelds and connectivity are spurring interest in mobile data applications across all segments of the market: consumer, enterprise and small to medium enterprise.
SA`s mobile and wireless data market is a vibrant and exciting one where the first effects of true competition are beginning to be felt. Already, MTN and Vodacom have launched 3G services and have dramatically cut the prices for data services.
They are also putting a lot of muscle behind the marketing of these services to drive adoption, which should translate into healthy growth. Economies of scale are likely to build up quickly, with the result that prices should fall significantly in the years ahead.
Although many South African companies are using SMS for basic marketing and communications services, few of them have embraced mobile technology in such a way that it becomes an integral part of their businesses.
SA`s mobile and wireless data market is a vibrant and exciting one where the first effects of true competition are beginning to be felt.
Mark Taylor, MD of Nashua Mobile
The markets that have embraced mobile solutions with the most fervour include the transport and logistics industries, which count on GSM-based systems for applications such as vehicle tracking. However, that picture is starting to change as local companies begin to allow mobile workers to access corporate systems and applications, such as personal information management and inventories, while on the road.
Recent research from BMI-TechKnowledge projects that around 4.4 million subscribers will use 3G services by 2009, which is around five times as many people as are expected to be using broadband services such as ADSL and iBurst by that time. Many off these users will be in business markets.
Factors that are likely to spur adoption of high-speed cellular data network technologies such as 3G, EDGE and GPRS include the following:
* Quick penetration of high-end cellphones with rich features like camera and full-colour screens into the market.
* A growing understanding from operators and service providers of which services are likely to be attractive for users and how these services should be packaged.
* More aggressive marketing of services that take advantage of the power of GPRS and 3G networks.
* Falling prices for data services.
Higher-speed cellular connectivity technologies such as GPRS, EDGE and 3G make it possible for employees in the field to scan a corporate contacts list, place orders, check inventories, access e-mail or look up contact details remotely.
For consumers, applications such as games, music, rich media news and multimedia services (video phones, and so on) are becoming increasingly easy-to-use.
Mobile applications already coming to the fore include mobile e-mail and multimedia messaging. On the mobile e-mail front, organisations can choose between solutions such as Blackberry and other solutions such as Layer//one from Internet Solutions.
Some of the specific advantages of Layer//one include the fact that it provides support for a range of cellphones and offers relatively low installation costs and requirements. Users can also choose between push, manual pull and scheduled e-mail updates. In other solutions, users can have their mail forwarded to their phones as it arrives, manually check for mail, or have it sent on at preset intervals.
On the other hand, the Blackberry Internet Service is a push service that easily allows individuals to connect to their POP3 and Webmail e-mail services such as MWEB and Yahoo. Vodacom also provides the user with an e-mail address - all they need to get up and running with mobile e-mail is a Blackberry phone and an appropriate Vodacom or MTN contract. Understanding these differences is the key to making the right choice.
* Mark Taylor is MD of Nashua Mobile.
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