Strategies for Success in the M2M Market
As cellular M2M (machine-to-machine) subscriptions climb to over 478 million in 2017, operators will adopt one of several key strategies to improve their position in the market, a new report recently opined. The report examines the developments in the cellular M2M market, providing in-depth country, regional, and application-level forecasts. Among the strategies operators may adopt:
- Mobile operators will simply sell airtime wholesale to MVNOs and resellers and have little or no additional involvement.
- Operators will create their own M2M platform, providing not only the network access, but also important connectivity capabilities.
- MNOs become the central point of contact. In this case, the MNO can take different steps to enhance its position in the value chain, while still depending heavily on partnerships.
- A complete end-to-end solution, requiring strong vertical industry expertise to manage complete projects from sale, consulting, device design and manufacture, application development, integration, and service management.
For more content, see www.pyramidresearch.com/pr_prlist/operator-strategies-for-the-cellular-m2m-market.htm
Google Glass: Will It Ignite a Revolution?
Will Google Glass kill the smartphone? Reinvent gaming? Steal the second screen from tablets? Probably not completely, and not all at once (since the device won’t be available to general public until 2014). But experts predict that the new product could be a game-changer similar to the iPhone: one that could send shockwaves across the entertainment, advertising, commerce, media, and gaming worlds. Take smartphones, for example. After observing a Google-released clip which showcases the digitally-enhanced headwear’s technological advancements, some industry players contend that if consumers take a shine to Glass the device would seriously challenge the smartphone for market dominance.
For further coverage, see www.adweek.com/news/technology/why-brands-are-already-looking-google-glass-and-why-apple-should-be-worried-147435
Machine-to-Machine Primed to Grow in 2013
Machine-to-Machine (M2M) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are hot topics for 2013 and key areas of investment in the wireless ecosystem. One of the key reasons for this is that connecting machines, objects, or “things” represents a growing market opportunity for new devices, solutions, and services beyond traditional voice and data. A recently available study reports that the market outlook for M2M in 2013 appears positive, but there are also a number of challenges that must be overcome, including:
- How to cost-effectively manage and process big data from M2M communications and use that information to achieve business transformation.
- How will security of M2M be managed going forward? Are current safeguards sufficient?
- What should the industry do about the 2G GSM switch-off? Is an alternative bearer the answer?
- Will anyone wait for M2M standards, or will vendors go it alone?
For more information, go to www.strategyanalytics.com/default.aspx?mod=pressreleaseviewer&a0=5327
Notes from HDTV Adoption
New consumer research has found that 75% of households in the U.S. have at least one high definition television (HDTV), an increase of 23% in the past five years. Over that timespan, 52% of U.S. households have adopted HDTV, while 51% of these HDTV households have more than one HDTV. Overall, about 38% of domestic households now have multiple HDTV sets, a 12% jump from two years ago, and about 59% of televisions in HD households are HDTVs. Other related findings from this research include:
- Among households with annual incomes over $50,000, 84% have an HDTV, compared to 73% with household incomes of $30,000-$50,000, and 56% with household incomes under $30,000.
- Among those receiving HD programming from a cable, satellite, or Telco TV provider, the perceived mean number of channels of HD programming is 77, up from 63 two years ago, and 29 five years ago.
- About 6% of all US households currently have an HDTV set that is 3D-capable, although 41% of this group do not watch any content in 3D.
- Overall, 47% have seen a 3D TV, or have a 3D-capable TV, compared to 24% two years ago.
- 22% of all households purchased a new TV set in the past 12 months. The mean reported purchase price was $680 (about 30% less than five years ago).
- Among all households, 14% plan to purchase a new TV set in the next 12 months, compared to 19% last year, and 17% five years ago.
For additional coverage, see www.leichtmanresearch.com/press/020813release.html
Verizon Tops FCC Speed Tests
A new FCC study measuring broadband speeds showed that Verizon’s FiOS and FTTH-based (fiber-to-the-home) broadband services delivered the most consistent speeds to its subscribers. The study was based on data collected last September, and examines the performance of various broadband mechanisms, including cable, DSL, fiber, and satellite. While previous FCC broadband reports measured Verizon’s FiOS FTTH, this is the first time the regulator included the telco’s “Quantum” tiers (50/25 Mbps and 75/35 Mbps) introduced last summer. Cablevision, which, like Verizon, uses cable and fiber separately to deliver services to consumers, also provided consistent speeds during download peak periods (Cablevision also leverages fiber-to-the-node [FTTN] architecture with their service). Verizon brings fiber directly into each home, leveraging the living unit’s existing coax cable to distribute services inside either an apartment or single family home.
For more details, see www.fiercetelecom.com/story/quantum-tiers-keep-verizon-atop-fccs-broadband-speed-ratings/2013-02-15