THE MOBILE OPERATOR'S HOSTED PBX OPPORTUNITY

摘要

IP technologies have only just begun to open new realms of opportunity for mobile operators to reap new revenues and customer loyalty through differentiated service innovations. VoIP and IP multimedia applications daily prove this promise. Instant messaging and any number of as yet unknown applications suggest continued innovation. Yet even now, the inevitable commoditization of basic voice and data services creates increasing pressure on mobile operators to assemble tools for repeatable and continuous creation of new margin-boosting applications for years to come. Mobile operators already face fierce competition from other mobile operators and alternative service providers, such as MVNOs and fixed line broadband access providers. With penetration in many Western European markets reaching saturation, usage of mobile services is increasing, but prices of services, especially for voice, are eroding. In order to increase total revenues' operators are pushing new technologies and advanced mobile data services. The share of such services out of operators' total revenues is constantly increasing, but not in line with expectations prevailing in the industry a couple of years ago. Even Vodafone, one of the world's leading mobile operators, attributes only around 17% of its revenues coming from non-voice services.