Vodafone and Nokia launch integrated services on mobile devices

by: admin Wednesday, November 7th, 2007

Rating: mobile 2.0 is just one big mash-up

Excuse me, while I take a breath.

At the start of the week it was Android and an Open Handset Alliance that will make a new OS for mobile spearheaded by Google. Then I read comments from companies such as Deutsche Telekom happy to support Google and the new alliance to make services more accessible and thrive globally.

A few months ago, Nokia announced Ovi the internet brand that will make it a player in the mobile internet via its own client or portal.

Today, Vodafone and Nokia are working together. Vodafone services will be integrated on Nokia devices alongside Ovi Nokia services. For example Vodafone music service and Nokia’s music store will sit alongside one another. This means that there will be one click client access to services from Vodafone and Nokia on a range of premium devices.

From the press release
"We’re pleased do be working with Nokia in leading the industry to bring customers a complete suite of Vodafone communications, browsing, content and Internet services" said Frank Rovekamp, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Vodafone Group. "This is a logical step for Vodafone to make, further improving our customer experience with many of the services already launched with leading Internet partners."

"Web2.0 is all about social networking and enabling people to connect with each other in new ways. Bringing location and context awareness to web2.0 services is the next stage in the web development and Nokia multimedia computers enable people to participate to their favourite internet services on-the-go", said Executive Vice President and General Manager Nokia Multimedia Anssi Vanjoki. "We’re excited to work with Vodafone to provide consumers with internet services like navigation, music, games and communities to make their life richer and more enjoyable, independent of time and place."

What we think?

This is a milestone for Nokia and perhaps one mash-up of many for Vodafone – no doubt the operator will want its brand more more handsets moving forward.

If anyone remembers the history Nokia and Vodafone have had (at best) a turbulent relationship. When I worked at max.mobil back in 1995 operators were king and handset manufacturers would beg to be part of the party.

Over the years this has changed and the first ever Vodafone live! devices actually didn’t include a Nokia handset. Years later Vodafone and Nokia are in each others pockets again and this time I believe it’s to corner the grey handset economy (Asia) and the amazing success of SIM-only subscriptions that is making users buy off-the-shelf phones.

On-device applications are important because it’s a protection strategy that ensures that consumers know which services are available, which providers are available and it makes it easier for consumers to use data services.

The sticking points will come when services from operators are set as default in the phone and subscribers who want to use third party applications, rather than the installed services, try to go online. In fact, this sounds great for Vodafone within Vodafone, but globally installing operator applications and clients on devices without knowing what operator the user is going to choose could be the next biggest headache in mobile.

But this proves that clients or ODP’s are the way forward for mobile.

Similar - Telefonica/Ovi aricle.