Wireless News

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Ballmer says, right time for entrepreneurs

This is one of the best videos for wannabe entrepreneurs. The advice comes from none other than Steve Ballmer , CEO of Microsoft. He says that this is time for entrepreneurs to take the plunge. Companies like Microsoft, apple were started during the recession times. Steve has some important tips for entrepreneurs. Check out the video embedded below

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Mobile VoIP, heartburn to Telco Operator

According to Gartner, More Than 50 Percent of Mobile Voice Traffic Will Be Carried Using End-to-End VoIP by 2019. This poses a huge and direct challenge to the $692.6 billion global mobile voice market. I’m sure the operators would fight tooth and nail to block those applications that use end-to-end IP network for voice calls. Even the mobile application developer platforms provided by handset vendors disable any mobile VoIP access for third party developers, except for the WIFI. Earlier, it was the turn of iPhone and now today Microsoft announced that Mobile VoIP applications is a big NO NO.

I’m not surprised by this move. I had talked about this earlier. There are so many applications out there that want to use operators IP network to run voice apps. Third-Party applications like Skype, Truphone, Mig33, fring, nimbuzz etc all carry VoIP traffic using the mobile phone. These applications are very attractive to consumers and definitely a headache to the operators.

Here are some of the highlights of the Gartner report:
• Predicts that over time traditional network-based mobile carriers face the real prospect of losing a major slice of their voice traffic and revenue to new non-infrastructure players that use VoIP.
• despite this significant potential, conditions for the rapid expansion in the use of mobile VoIP are not yet right and are not likely to become right for at least five years and perhaps as long as eight years.
• Mass-scale adoption of end-to-end mobile VoIP calling will not happen until fourth-generation (4G) networks are fully implemented in 2017
• In 10 years time we expect that 30 percent of mobile voice traffic will be carried out through third-party mobile portals, such as Google, Facebook, MySpace and Yahoo, which will adopt wireless VoIP service as a voice option to their current communications hub.”
• Competing with mobile portal VoIP will be wireless carriers that offer circuit and VoIP voice and data services, and resellers and mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) that also offer services off the carrier networks.
• Biggest competitors to mobile VoIP may be text messaging and e-mail, as people may prefer to use these types of communication because of their non-intrusive, less emotional and less time-consuming nature.

For more information, check out the report available on Gartner’s Web site

BlackBerry enterprise Voice server embraced by operators

Sprint announced to launch BlackBerry MVS, a service designed to unify fixed and mobile voice communication for greater productivity, more accountability, and extended accessibility. Blackberry MVS integrates the functionality of a desk phone with a BlackBerry Smartphone. Verizon the biggest CDMA operator also uses BlackBerry MVS to provide their corporate customers with FMC like features. This is a shot in the arm for blackberry MVS. No wonder BlackBerry Curve overtook iPhone in US smartphone ranking .

According to telephonyonline, Both Sprint and Verizon are offering the services as a joint solution between their business and wireless groups, selling wireless voice and data plans along with IP trunking services to link the devices securely to the enterprise. Sprint will be offering the FMC solution over both its CDMA and Nextel iDEN networks.

What is BlackBerry MVS?
BlackBerry Mobile Voice System (MVS) is designed to provide FMC features for corporate subscribers. The feature allows road warriors to move seamlessly between their desktop phones and mobile phones. Enterprise users can create a single number for up to four devices. Along with this comes a unified voicemail box and a seamless bridge for advanced PBX features such as conference calling, user groups and messaging between the wide-area mobile and local-area enterprise networks. Through integration with your existing PBX systems, employees gain office phone features on their BlackBerry® smartphones, while IT departments gain the advanced security, controls, and call-logging features that help make their jobs easier.

The latest version of RIM MVS server has been customized to integrate with Cisco® Unified Communications Manager 6.1 and later. The MVS however is designed to integrate with other IP-PBX system.

The BlackBerry MVS includes the following components:
BlackBerry MVS Client
BlackBerry® MVS Client software adds desk phone features to BlackBerry smartphones. The client integrates directly with the native phone application to allow the user to receive or place calls from the mobile line or the enterprise line.
BlackBerry MVS Services
BlackBerry® MVS Services enable communication between the BlackBerry® Enterprise Server and the BlackBerry® MVS Server. This allows control over voice management and security functionality through IT policies and highly secure authentication between BlackBerry smartphones and the corporate telecom environment.
BlackBerry MVS Server
BlackBerry® MVS Server interfaces between the BlackBerry Enterprise Server and the corporate PBX system, and is designed to mobilize a variety of PBX telecom environments. BlackBerry MVS Server includes configuration options for TDM, IP PBX, and mixed environments.

Looks like RIM is focused more on enterprise customers and that’s a great strategy. As I said earlier, follow the money, and enterprise is where money is. Wake up Apple!

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Telco API’s, How to make money?

We have seen thousands of applications built using Web 2.0 API’s( Application Programming Interface) that are exposed by facebook,myspace,flickr,google maps, twitter etc. These API’s have enabled smart developers to earn unbelievable money. The barriers to entry for these apps are nil, and all it takes to build an app on top of these platforms is a good understanding of the API’s. The good thing about opening up API’s for developers is that it brings in lot of innovative applications to the platform. This enhances the platform’s usage. It’s a WIN-WIN for both the platform provider and the developers.

According to programmable web , which maintains a list of API’s and the mashups, there are around 1200-1300 API’s available and 3924 mashups developed. Its not only the Web 2.0 players that have opened up their platforms via API’s, even the telecom operators are betting big time on platform play. However, the biggest issue with the platform API’s are, how do we monetize them? Folks from telco2.0 will be presenting with some analysis on how to monetize API’s. In addition, Alcatel-Lucent will be sharing new research on what enabling capabilities ‘over-the-top’ players are willing to pay for.

Here are some of the leaders in API programme joining the debate:
GSMA
TM forum
MEF Smart Pipes
OMTP BONDI
Orange Partner
BBC

For folks that can’t travel due to other restrictions, you can opt for distance participation. Check out the event registration site for pricing information.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Susan Boyle, the audacity of Hope!

I was just bowled over this video of Susan Boyle, the 47 year old new internet sensation. You know there are times when you see hope in despair moments. After watching this video, I had a great feeling. It just moved me. I’m happy for Susan Boyle and what a great show she put up. The sad part was that before even she could exhibit her talents, the judges and the spectators were in a denial mode. They knew she didn’t fit the bill. I guess we all go through such moments in our everyday lives. Maybe, its time we all take a good look in the mirror and think about the way we judge people. What Susan Boyle displayed was the self belief. The belief that she can become a singer and that is what kept her going against all odds. In her success, we see our failed dreams creeping back. Susan Boyle has become an Internet sensation. This is what I call the AUDACITY OF HOPE. Susan Boyle has already won the hearts of millions of people and I wish her great success.

Enjoy the video:

Check out the graph below:

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Zero1 Communications, the Magic Jack of Mobile Wireless

Zero1 Communications Communications, a Las Vegas, NV based mobile communications company, is planning to launch a new mobile service with unlimited voice and data. The deal looks very lucrative and hard to believe. This is one of a kind deal compared to what other operators are offering in terms of pricing. All this comes with no contracts or commitments and is priced affordably at only $69.95 per month with taxes and fees included. How does this work? In short Mobile VoIP. Zero1 routes all the voice calls via GSM operator’s data network. I guess we could call this as a Magic Jack of Mobile phones. To me it looked like an MVNO. But Ben Piilani clarifies that they are a new type of communication carrier.

Zero1 relies on major GSM cellular carriers to the data links and uses the same to transport Voice. I’m not sure which GSM cellular carrier is providing them with the data link. It downloads client software on the handset and assigns its own IP address. A VPN (virtual private network) or encrypted data tunnel is established between the handset and its switches. Except for those "last mile" wireless connections, the service runs entirely over the company's own switching and backbone network infrastructure. I’m a little skeptical about this whole Voice Over wireless data network for two reasons. One is the QOS and other coverage. I don’t think operators have 100% data network covered across North America. So this will be a big show stopper for a service like this to succeed.

To start with, they have bunch of windows enabled handsets. However, they plan to support additional platforms like Google Android, Blackberry and iPhone phones.

Here is what Ben Piilanie has to say about the service:

"We are the first mobile service to offer consumers a true national unlimited voice, data and Internet plan without any contracts or commitments that is priced affordably at only $69.95 per month with taxes and fees included. We have licensed patent pending proprietary Veritable Mobile Convergence (VMC) Technology that allows each smart phone user to make voice calls or transmit data by sending voice communications through a VoIP system," explained Piilani, CEO, Zer01 Mobile. "Zer01 Mobile is not a new mobile virtual network operator (MNVO). We are a new hybrid-communications carrier."

Check out the video:

It seems to be an interesting solution. I’m sure the success of this company would depend on the Voice Quality, Coverage and ease of use. It would be interesting to see how operators would react to such a service. Since Zero1 relies on operators data network for voice calls, they are definitely at the mercy of operators. All the said, I wish Zero1 success.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Java Support for Google AppEngine coming soon!

Here is some good news to all those java developers who were deprived of no java support for Google app engine, the wait will be over pretty soon. Google is working out details to officially announce java support . They showcased some of the java apps that were built on top of app engine. Check out the video below.

Look's like today’s campfire was meant to showcase the java apps. Expect additional features like cron,firewall, database backup etc. More on Techcrunch.
You can download the Sdk here . Here is the link for Google Eclipse Plug-in

Monday, April 6, 2009

Skype for iPhone limitation, Free Press to rescue

Ok by this time everyone who has tried Skype on iPhone must be disappointed by the fact that it can be used only via Wi-Fi network and not 3G network . Is that a technical limitation? No not really, (Maybe Quality of servic could be an issue). This is a limitation/restriction imposed by Apple to please the operators. From an operator standpoint, it doesn’t make sense to allow users using their 3G network for making voice calls. This is a big NO NO! Users of iPhone have unlimited data package and majority of them would have subscribed for a limited voice call minutes. So by allowing voice calls via AT&T 3G networks is going to seriously erode their voice revenue. And don’t forget, international calling is another big cash cow for the operators. So this is a no-brainer decision coming from the operator. And for Apple, they don’t want to piss off the operators. They need operators love and its mutual.

Apparently there is more bad news for skype in Europe. Deutsche telekom AG, Apples iPhone provider in some European countries, said Thursday it may prevent T-Mobile subscribers from using skype even on Wi-Fi Network. AT&T is still liberal compared to T-Mobile. Look’s like this restriction has not gone well with public-policy maker and consumer advocates. The free press sent a letter to the acting Chairman Michael J.Copps, FCC expressing concerns over wireless operators violating Commissions internet policy statement. Check out the Free Press letter here.

According to UsaToday, this is what AT&T had to say about the whole issue:

“Jim Cicconi, AT&T's top public policy executive, says AT&T has "every right" not to promote the services of a wireless rival.
"We absolutely expect our vendors" — Apple, in this case — "not to facilitate the services of our competitors," he says.
"Skype is a competitor, just like Verizon (VZ) or Sprint (S) or T-Mobile," he says, adding, Skype "has no obligation to market AT&T services. Why should the reverse be true?"

Mobile VoIP restriction restriction has been there for a while now and skype’s restriction was not a big surprise to me. I don’t think this big hue and cry about blocking VoIP is going anywhere. These restrictions will go away as soon as operators find a way to charge the subscriber for voice calls usage via data network. Till then we will have to live with this limitation.