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The mobile Internet is an important area of research. For developed nations, which have reached near saturation in subscriber numbers, the take-up of mobile multimedia services will be vital to boosting operator revenue. For developing nations, where mobile phones far outnumber fixed telephone lines and computers, the mobile Internet is a viable way to reduce the digital divide. Much of my recent research has been on the mobile Internet especially identifying and defining appropriate indicators and creating a methodological framework. The mobile Internet data being compiled—primarily based on official government surveys and operator data—are one of the few reliable and comparable sources for this type of statistic. Definition Mobile multimedia use includes: · Using suitably equipped mobile phones as terminals for entertainment-oriented purposes, such as downloading ring tones, logos and games; sending pictures; and downloading video clips. · Using suitably equipped mobile phones as terminals to access the Internet (e.g., obtain information from web sites, send e-mail). · Using mobile networks to access the Internet from a laptop computer or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). Two points worth noting. First, mobile multimedia does not include text messaging. Second, some of the activities may use the mobile operator’s network rather than the public Internet, but do involve a degree of sophistication beyond simple text messaging. For that reason, the term mobile multimedia rather than mobile Internet user is preferred. The French telecommunications regulator, ART, has a good definition of mobile multimedia user: “The active numbers of multimedia users is defined as the number of customers (postpaid subscribers or pre-paid cards users) who have used a multimedia service such as Wap, I-Mode, MMS or e-mail (SMS are not included) at least once in the past month, regardless of the support technology (CSD, GPRS, etc.). For e-mail and MMS, only customers having sent an e-mail or MMS during the past month are considered active users.” www.art-telecom.fr/observatoire/juin2004/ang-juin2004/tab_radiotel-ang.htm#7 A proposed list of mobile multimedia indicators is here. Michael Minges, Senior Market Analyst, Telecommunications Management Group, Inc. (TMG) |
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Mobile Internet & MULTIMEDIA Indicators |