Phil Asmundson of Deloitte singles out the proliferation of wireless as his key trend with spectrum shortages and the investments required to roll-out 4G as main challenges. 2012 Outlook on Telecommunications.
Alex Liu of A.T. Kearney’s trends include the (mobile) data explosion, machine-to-machine (M2M) and government-backed broadband. He also notes the Cloud and next-generation analytics as drivers of data demand. A.T. Kearney’s Crystal Ball 2012.
The ACMA outlines how the development of a common accessible broadband infrastructure can facilitate the creation of next generation applications and services and the pressures these developments make on current regulatory arrangements.
Darrell West of The Brookings Institution sums up “Ten Facts about Mobile Broadband”
Current Analysis examines current commercial LTE offers in Europe. Marketing LTE: Early Service Trends in Europe
Ofcom’s latest annual report into the consumer experience of fixed and mobile, internet and digital broadcasting is a massive source of data on the UK market: 175 figures covering topics as diverse as the duration of mobile phone contracts (most now either 1 month or 24 months), or the proportion who have switched mobile provider this year by age and gender (men are almost twice as likely to have changed than women).
Ernst & Young’s Global Telecommunications Center has published the latest edition of “Inside Telecommunications”, its review of “the most significant developments in the telecommunications sector each quarter”. This quarter’s highlights include cloud based services offered by telecoms operators, the rise of mobile instant messaging as a substitute for SMS, and operators’ strategies for offloading mobile data traffic.
The OECD’s biennial Communications Outlook contains, as usual, a wealth of data on telecommunications and broadcasting industries in OECD countries: markets and spending, policy, network development, pricing and trade. The report includes hundreds of tables and figures, each linked to supporting data online.
A recent addition to the OECD’s Digital Economy Paper series, this report surveys the progress of optical fibre adoption in local networks. As usual there is a rich mix of analysis and data. Thus the report reveals that Japan and Korea lead in the adoption of FTTH/B: 15 and 8 million subscribers respectively with the USA a poor third at just under 5 million. The report also lists major fibre investment programs with details of scope and financing – PPP is by far the most popular form of finance. The report’s policy suggestions include a recognition that government intervention may be needed to deliver fibre outside commercial areas while also highlighting the need for competition in existing access networks.
Accenture’s survey of over 6,500 consumers in seven countries (USA, UK, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Italy and Spain) highlights the challenge facing fixed and mobile network operators: over 60% are watching TV on the Internet and this proportion is increasing. It’s hardly surprising that consumers number one frustration is the time required to buffer/download/play the video. However network providers may be relieved that only a quarter of consumers are concerned by the increased data costs from downloading video.
The FTTH Council’s latest market forecast for Europe, by Graham Finnie of Heavy Reading, notes slower progress within the EU contrasted with faster progress outside. It forecasts that Russia will have the highest number of connected households in 2015, more than 9 million, with a household penetration of almost 18%. The highest household penetration is expected to be in Slovenia, at almost 36%, followed by Sweden, Norway and Denmark.
Accenture’s study, based on surveys of consumers and industry executives, examines the value of physical retail stores now that online shopping is mainstream. Accenture found that both consumers and service providers agree on the importance of the physical retail channel. The study notes that service providers plan more physical retail stores over the next two years, with a greater emphasis on company-owned stores. Accenture also identifies six areas where leading service providers distinguish themselves from laggards.
Accenture – The Value and the Role of the Retail Channel for Communications Service Providers
Tom Rebbeck’s presentation to the Cambridge Wireless mobile broadband event earlier this month, “The challenges facing mobile operators in implementing a mobile content strategy”, includes some interesting data on mobile broadband users. Mobile broadband usage declines from 35% in the 18-24 age group to less than 10% among the over 55s. Internet access is the most popular service for smartphone users – over 60% use it – while less than 20% use work related apps. Over 20% of Apple smartphone users would change provider to gain access to different apps – more than with any other smartphone provider.
ITU Regulatory Newslog FT Company News – Telecoms