What SMS Users Are Telling Telcos

The recent rollout of 3G-ready mobile devices has caused a lot of excitement in the Telco industry, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. This article will highlight the message that current customers are sending through their SMS messaging habits. Many consumers have been used to sending SMS for at least 2 years. Even with its humble typing of tiny keypads and source of simple news channel, SMS is a global phenomenon. Telcos must take time to study what their customers are saying.

Here are some guideposts.

Equitable Pricing Plan:

Most customers fall under a mobile plan that guarantees a certain number of free SMS a month. This will imply that even with future sophisticated messaging systems, they are still more inclined to expect the same pricing plan. Thus it could be inappropriate to introduce a per-messaging pricing, no matter of sophisticated the delivery. Telcos must conduct extensive market research to find the correct pricing plan.

Customisation of Ads:

Customers are not only willing to receive high quality advertisements on their mobile devices, but also want these advertisements to be customized to their interests and preferences. This implies that customers are ready to share more personal details and the mobile devices can be viewed as a channel for dynamic and real-time feedback channel. This may spell the demise of the print newsletter and survey form as the penetration rate for mobile devices increase.

Unchanged Keypad:

Many critics of the SMS system had reservations that customers are not adept at typing messages through small mobile device's keyboard. They had felt that the customer is too impatient and too many typing errors will be made. Well they were wrong! Telcos should collaborate with phone makers to keep the current mobile device's keyboard unchanged and concentrate on keeping the screen larger and equipped with better resolution.

Integrating the experience:

Telcos must pay heed in collaborating with the various broadcasting corporations to create an integrated experience. Current mobile device users are very comfortable in voice and SMS communication. Take this as an example: A customer plays a LAN game on broadband in an Internet Café, decides to leave the play-station and continues the game on a mobile device. When he reaches home, he turns on his home entertainment system and continues the final stage of the game. This is possible with the GPRS system and 3G Technology synergising with the broadcasting corporation. But more importantly, a number of media and communication providers benefit from this integration. New revenue streams can be developed.

The overlooked education industry:

It is unfortunate that the education industry has not fully utilized SMS to complement the delivery of lecture notes and tests. The same grouses are the small mobile device screen and the lack of security features to determine the identity of the user. However, with 3G technology, educators should think out of the box and allow students to spend more time off campus to conduct their own research. Occasionally, they can arrange for the student to sit for a test that can be transmitted through their mobile devices.

Untapped Security Market:

The Mobile Device can be the next "in-thing" as a security device. The concept is relatively simple. The student's location can be tracked by the GPRS system through the mobile device and the parent can have a face-to-face chat with the child. This concept can also be stretched to include these devices in various parts of a car ? i.e. like a black box in a plane. If there are any major accidents, insurance companies can view these recordings and get a better picture of the accident.

About The Author

Colin Ong TS is the Managing Director of MR=MC Consulting (http://www.mrmc.com.sg) and Founder of the 12n Professional Online Networking Community (http://www.mrmc.com.sg/12n)

colin@mrmc.com.sg

In The News:

pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Take Care of Your Cell Phone Battery. Your Life May Depend on It

You probably don't even think about it but do you... Read More

Kids & Cell Phones

Is it safety? Is it security? Or is it just... Read More

Lets Talk

In the eyes of a teenage girl cellular phones are... Read More

An Introduction to Text Messaging

Why Text?Text messaging is a quick way to stay in... Read More

SMS Daycare & Gaming

Using the Physical World as a Game Board. ... Read More

Cellular Phone Service

Cellular phone service ? pick the one you like.You can... Read More

The Pros and Cons of Camera Cell Phones

All the major phone manufacturers are cashing in on the... Read More

Mobile Commerce: An Expectation for the Mobile Users In Pakistan

Mobile commerce is electronic commerce over wireless devices. Mobile commerce... Read More

Letting Go of 3G - A Viable Alternative for Asian Carriers

Most Asian cellular carriers mulling over 3G have chalked out... Read More

GPS Cell Phones

Motivated by the events of 9/11 2001 and problems with... Read More

Taking Care of Your Cell Phone Batteries

Picking a new cell phone model and pricing plan is... Read More

Cell Phones Can Damage Your Eyes

A recent scientific study identified a link between microwave radiation... Read More

Why Mobile SMS/Text Messaging?

What is Mobile SMS/ Test Messaging?Mobile text Messaging, or Short... Read More

Recognizing Common Cellular Phone Problems

Cellular phones are in schools, banks, malls, and homes across... Read More

Cell Phone - Why Should I Upgrade

We hear from friends or just general chat by people... Read More

Nokia Cellular Phone

Nokia cellular phone ? description.Nokia produces a large variety of... Read More

The Cell Phone Store

Effectively everybody wants the hottest and best cheap cell phones... Read More

Cell Phones - The New Media

Every day, there are more new uses for the classic... Read More

Call Russia Feeling Like a Royal Romanov

Get set to be greeted by the Russians, with a... Read More

Recent Cell Phone Advancements

Cell phones have come a long way since the early... Read More

Cell Phone Etiquette

... Read More

Buying A Cell Phone ? Making Smart Choices

Whether you're buying your first cell phone, upgrading to a... Read More

Contemplating Selling Your Cell Tower Lease For A Lump Sum?

Many landowners who have leased land for a cell tower... Read More

Finding Long Distance

When a person moves, they need to hook up utilities.... Read More

Analog vs. Digital Cellular Phones

Cellular phones are an amazing modern convenience, but it can... Read More

Cell Phone Reviews - Reaping the Benefits Of Online Wireless Reviews

There are a lot of benefits that are offered by... Read More

Cell Phone Wallpaper Bonanza

Nowadays teenagers are crazy about personalizing their cell phone and... Read More

Smartphones - Beyond Voice to Information and Entertainment

Investments in shares of wireless technology companies and wireless service... Read More

So Many Cell Phone Providers!

Wherever you're located, the likelihood of having a choice among... Read More

Cell Phone Safety - Am I Really At Risk

It's a sad commentary on the way of the world... Read More

Mobile Content: An Expression of Individuality

Cell phones were created with the purpose of facilitating communication... Read More

Prevent Phone Monitoring with Digital Spread Spectrum

If you are using an analog cordless or cellular telephone,... Read More

Should Your Teenage Have A Cellular Phone?

The time has come and your teenager has asked for... Read More