Why Vodafone shouldn’t welcome the Googlefone

Rating: responsive
by Bena Roberts

There was an article in Business Week from Bengt Nordstrom. The article called Why Vodafone Should Welcome Googlefone is an interesting outtake – but all it is, is an outtake. In our humble option its forgetting extremely important points in mobile and the historical perspective.

The article starts, “if operators focus on core services, allowing outfits like Skype, Google and Yahoo! to provide Internet features for handsets everyone will benefit”.

This is splashy intro – but fails to make any sense.
1. Mobile operators have, are and will continue to focus on core services.
2. What does Internet features of handsets mean?
3. Vendors and third parties have been able to create mobile services and publish content for the mobile Internet since its launch.
4. Manufacturers are also embracing 2.0 and creating services for the mobile Internet or connectivity to the mobile Internet via the Idle Screen. Manufacturers also have partnership with Google and Yahoo! for instant access buttons.

The article then mentions Club Nokia. Indeed, the demise of the club is one thing – but the fact of the matter is is that the club was simply ahead of its time. Mobile operators and manufacturers are in a learning curve and Nokia has had to eat humble pie many a time – but the fact of the matter is when it comes to mobile devices – Nokia is bigger than Google. Google might have a few operator partnerships but the Nokia brand is demanded by mobile youth.

The next point is: Mobile Customers hang up on Operators?
It’s a free market and may the best voice call charge win. This is how mobile remains competitive.

The last point is, Internet players deliver services best.

OK that is why Web ‘n’ walk is a roaring success? 1.5 million customers in 2 years is REALLY good isn’t it. Has the marketing spend been worth it? With a T-Mobile ad promoting the service live in nearly every major EU country – I very much doubt it.

Where the aps are? We know what the next mobile internet revolution will be and anyone interested needs to read BKI Media publications because we do cut the hype and deliver.

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3. Vodafone to launch flat rate, new Vodafone live! Google open portal and new mobile browser for all devices
4. LocatioNet ands DigitalGlobe imagery to amAze mobile navigation application
5. Orange and Nokia to partner for music, mobile games, maps, mobile advertising and LBS