3GSM 2006 Dwarf RIM taken the lead roleIN
ITS predictions as to what to look out for at the forthcoming 3GSM Barcelona show, Strand Consulting says ignore the big boys like the major operators. Instead, focus on the MVNOs, media companies, content aggregators and innovative technology providers.
Illustrating this point Strand says," It is scary that such a large technology provider like Microsoft has not been able to make itself more visible on the market." So it's not very impressed with the Beast of Redmond, then.
"It is a fact that the dwarf RIM from Canada has taken the role as mobile email provider, despite the many Microsoft handsets on the market and despite the fact that many companies use Microsoft Exchange for email. Some might call this mismanagement from Microsoft's side and we would probably have to agree."
Of course, Strand warns that "future innovation will be created by small companies - that then will be purchased by the large classic suppliers."
While many players are focusing on the growth markets like India, Brazil, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh -countries where cheap handsets and SIM cards will attract millions of new customers, that's not the interesting bit, Strand says.
The real challenges are markets like Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Switzerland and Germany, where mobile prices are plummeting at the same time as the operators are investing in the launch of 3G.
L'INQ Strand Consult 2006 Predictions
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