This document discusses the past, present, and future of mobile services from 1997 to 2012. It traces the evolution of mobile voice, SMS, and data services over successive generations of wireless networks from 2G to 3G and outlines emerging technologies like Wi-Fi and WiMax. The document notes that while network speeds continue increasing, advertised speeds often do not match real-world performance. It argues that services and content will be provided over networks by third parties rather than networks themselves. Finally, it raises questions around connection speeds, experience control, ideal device formats, and business models.

1. The Future of Mobile Services
Alex French
Bitbuzz

3. 1997

4. 1997
Voice
SMS
GSM data

5. It’s all about network
1997
Voice
SMS
GSM data

6. It’s all about network
1997
2002
Voice
SMS
GSM data

7. It’s all about network
ent
t
con
1997
2002
Voice
SMS
GSM data

8. It’s all about network
ent
t
con
1997
2002
Voice WAP
SMS
Ringtones
GSM data

9. It’s all about network
ent
t
con
1997
2002
2007
Voice WAP
SMS
Ringtones
GSM data

10. It’s all about network
ent
t
con
1997
2002
2007
Voice WAP
3G
SMS
Ringtones
GSM data

11. It’s all about networknetw
or
t (we m
k
en
ean i
t t this
on
time
)
c
1997
2002
2007
Voice WAP
3G
SMS
Ringtones
GSM data

12. It’s all about networknetw
or
t (we m
k
en
ean i
t t this
on
time
)
c
1997
2002
2007
2012
Voice WAP
3G
SMS
Ringtones
GSM data

13. It’s all about networknetw
or
t (we m
k
en
ean i
t t this
on
time
)
c
1997
2002
2007
2012
Voice WAP
3G ?
SMS
Ringtones
GSM data

14. Content and access don’t mix

15. Content and access don’t mix

16. Services vs network

17. Services vs network
Services/content provided by the network

18. Services vs network
Services/content provided by the network

19. Services vs network
Services/content provided by the network
Services/content provided over the network

20. Services vs network
Services/content provided by the network
Services/content provided over the network

22. $2

25. Mobile access “soup”
3G
Wi-Fi Wi-Max
EDGE

26. Speed vs Quality

27. Speed vs Quality
The Irish Mb

28. Speed vs Quality
The Irish Mb
In Ireland, “Up to 3Mbps” ~= 700kbps

29. Speed vs Quality
The Irish Mb
In Ireland, “Up to 3Mbps” ~= 700kbps
AT&T vs Verizon vs Sprint

31. Control

32. Control

33. Control

34. Control
$$

35. The opportunities

36. The opportunities
Services!

37. The opportunities
Services!
Now anyone can
be Bill Gates!

38. The opportunities
Services!
Now anyone can
be Bill Gates!

39. The opportunities
Services!
Now anyone can
be Bill Gates!
Wold-class
distribution for free

40. Access methods

41. Access methods
GSM 9.6kbps
EDGE 236kbps
GPRS 60kbps
3G 3Mbps
HSPA 14Mbps
LTE 100Mbps (forecast)

42. Access methods
GSM 9.6kbps
EDGE 236kbps
GPRS 60kbps
3G 3Mbps
HSPA 14Mbps
LTE 100Mbps (forecast)

43. Disruptive access
Wimax 2-20Mbps+ (today)
Wi-Fi 10-300Mbps (today)

44. Devices -
the Goldilocks problem
Text
Netbook? Tablets? Dick Tracy watches?

45. Key questions
How fast is the connection?
Who controls the experience?
What’s the killer device format?
Who pays?