Mobile Internet

Mobile gaming will be the next biggest application: Frost

Pradeep Chakraborty

With most of the GPRS networks already in place in most parts of Asia, MMS is likely to become a prime application for mobile Internet in the near future, according to Frost & Sullivan, Asia Pacific. Mobile gaming is expected to be the next biggest application, given the favorable market reaction for downloading of icons, music, and graphics.

The mobile Internet market in India is very much in its infancy and SMS is currently the major application. However, it is expected that operators in the major circles would roll out mobile Internet services by 2003, once GPRS networks have been rolled out.

Convergence Plus recently spoke to Balaji Bhoovarahan, Consulting Manager, Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific in Singapore. Excerpts from an interview:

Convergence Plus: What are the prevailing trends in mobile Internet today?

Balaji Bhoovarahan: Most of GPRS networks are already in place in most parts of Asia. We are also seeing that handset manufacturers are moving toward data based devices, such as Motorola's video-enabled handset and Sony Ericsson's mobile phones. These factors give us reason to believe that MMS can become a prime application in the near future.

Handheld device manufacturers such as Blackberry, xDA and Treo have also entered markets like Hong Kong with voice-enabled devices on PDAs. Such multifunction gadgets will only enhance the video communication and Web browsing experience, thus paving a clearer path for introduction of MMS. We believe that the enterprise markets would be the major revenue contributors to wireless Internet.

Convergence Plus: What are the prevailing trends today in mobile entertainment, m-commerce, m-gaming and m-advertising?

Balaji Bhoovarahan: Nothing much has changed in this sphere, but we believe that mobile gaming will be the next biggest application. The market reaction so far has been favorable for downloading of icons, music, graphics, etc.

Convergence Plus: Most of the devices out there today support WAP. What is the status of WAP today?

Balaji Bhoovarahan: Revenues for WAP is still not significant. However, fruitful implementation of GPRS will provide an incremental value for WAP services, mainly derived from advertising revenues.

Convergence Plus. How is GPRS helping mobile Internet?

Balaji Bhoovarahan: The speed provided by the GPRS networks is expected to propel the growth for mobile Internet.

Convergence Plus: What is the role of wireless Java in the success of mobile Internet?

Balaji Bhoovarahan: MS and Symbian are already developing microbrowsers and Nokia is moving in the same path as well. However, no standard technology is available today. Though Java is an open source code, the market presently has too many options and it would be premature to comment on the prevailing market standard at this point of time.

Convergence Plus: What lessons have the suppliers/vendors learned from i-mode? Are those being implemented in other parts of Asia?

Balaji Bhoovarahan: Taiwan has already taken on an i-mode model and South Korea is testing this as well. The most important lesson learnt from i-mode would be the availability of cost-effective personalized services. Though most services may not be compelling, it was sufficient to increase the curiosity of users surrounding the individual's needs and lifestyle to experience i-mode.

Convergence Plus: What is the status of the content today on mobile phones for mobile Internet. Are they captivating enough?

Balaji Bhoovarahan: The market has yet to witness the emergence of a killer application. So far, speed has been the major impediment for growth. Nevertheless, given the rollout of GPRS networks, this will not be the case for much longer. The market is still adopting a wait-and-watch approach to the launching of new mobile Internet content.

Convergence Plus: Which are the killer applications, if any, today and why? What will be the likely applications in 2003?

Balaji Bhoovarahan: We believe that MMS involving video streaming and file transfer, sending photos and small video clippings over the air will take flight in 2003.

Convergence Plus: Is Bluetooth helping in the growth and spread of mobile Internet?

Balaji Bhoovarahan: Not really at present. However, the PDA market has taken off in a big way for availing of the organizer tools, and Bluetooth and IR (infrared) features. The latter allows easier transfer of information between computing devices. Handset manufacturers that have embedded Bluetooth technology as well as IR have an added advantage in this case.

Convergence Plus: What are the current trends in mobile Internet in India today?

Balaji Bhoovarahan: The mobile Internet market in India is still in its infancy. SMS is presently the major application, and WAP did not gain much popularity at its onset. However, with GPRS being just introduced, we expect that the operators in Cap A circles would provide mobile Internet services by 2003.