The Latest
Revolutions reveal revolting trends
First it was unrest in the Middle East, then riots in the UK, now it’s reaching that bastion of free speech and human rights, the USA. I am referring here to the relatively new concept of shutting down telecommunications service at the whim of government on the slightest hint of political or social unrest. It [...]
Wielding the knife becoming a popular pastime
I continue to be perturbed by headlines from the telecoms industry declaring staff cuts to reduce costs and improve profitability. Is there no other means to placate investors than to resort to such radical and life-disrupting means for people that have not necessarily failed in their jobs? Today’s workforce appears to have become a totally [...]
Adult content dilemma looming for NBNs
The rollout of national broadband networks for the early-adopter countries is uncovering some very interesting challenges. That least expected is the slow take-up of subscribers to the blindingly fast fiber networks. Is it because the technology is scary, the cost too high or consumers are happy with what they have? Whatever the reason, suggestions are [...]
WiMax still has some life in it
Declan Byrne from the WiMax Forum explains that the technology is mature, robust and an integral part of broadband rollouts in many Asian markets. To view on iPhone or iPad click here.
Dutch drop ‘net neutrality’ bomb
Mobile operators in The Netherlands must be wondering what hit them. The Dutch parliament, acting with speed and ferocity rarely seen, has introduced net neutrality legislation that will have far-reaching effects on the viability, future profitability and even survival, of companies such as KPN, Vodafone and T-Mobile. If other European countries and the European Commission [...]
M2M looming large on the horizon
Telenor Connexion’s Gwenn Larsson talks about the growing M2M opportunities and the types of services we can expect telcos to embark on. To view on iPhone or iPad click here.
Euro ‘Google Tax’ battle looms
The telecoms industry as we know it is about to go through some massive changes, and some of them are going to be ugly, very ugly. A ‘colliding worlds’ scenario is taking shape in Europe that will have ramifications worldwide because it includes network operators, regulators, online content providers and a hapless public. Read more…..
Apple eating humble pie? Hardly!
The headlines all concur, Nokia wins the patent battle with Apple, but the real facts around the settlement may never come fully to light. That’s because neither party had anything to gain by continuing expensive litigation. Any loss of face by Apple and bottom line gains by Nokia will likely be short lived. I’m afraid [...]
Telcos & banks ‘missing the plot’ in mobile payments
Voice Commerce Group CEO and 2010 UK Entrepreneur of the Year, Nick Ogden, believes telcos and banks each think they own the customer which has caused both to lose out in the mobile payments and banking spaces. The fact that the communications and finance markets are dominated by large, often inflexible players, exacerbates the situation.
Remember Nokia?
I can remember the days when solid corporations could withstand economic up and downs for decades going from strength to strength. This was and era when shareholders considered ‘blue chips’ a solid long term investment – and they usually were. However, times have changed. Take the case of Nokia, for example. Top of the mobile [...]