P5: Wireless Profit Opportunities in Text Messaging - Get the message: How Wireless SPs Can Profit from Text Usage

Chair: Craig Peddie, Vice President and General Manager, Tegic Communications, USA (A division of America Online, Inc.)

Abstract: Even though competition has put voice service profit margins under intense pressure, many service providers still focus their business models on voice-to-voice services. This approach overlooks entirely the large and lucrative market of wireless device users who exchange billions of instant messages (IMs) and emails daily. In this panel, the moderator will outline the economic opportunity for wireless SPs represented by Internet and text service users. Citing how AOL approximately generates about 2 billion desktop-to-desktop IMs everyday, he will explain how by shifting a mere 10 to 20 percent of those from workstation to cell phone usage would open a wireless market on an order of magnitude close to 200 million a day. Panelists will examine some of the current barriers to creating a healthy ecosystem that supports IM and email on cell phones; and will describe industry partnerships and standards initiatives that will help forge a link between Internet communities and cell phone users, and drive huge revenues for wireless carriers.

Panelists:
Ronjon Nag, CEO of Cellmania Inc., USA
Liz Glasser, Director of Marketing, OpenWave Systems, USA
Patrice McAree, VP, Global Business Development, Mobile 365, USA

Back to Panels List