MobileTalk: Really Easy

Right now, there are a couple issues users face when using VoIP from a mobile phone. In some cases, carriers might interfere with that sort of thing. Not that they do, but they can. Verizon Wireless PC card owners know their terms of service actually prohibits VoIP and even use of the air card from a "home" location. Not that I've ever met anybody who had trouble with either of those two clauses. But the clauses and the rules exist, in case Verizon Wireless does want to enforce them.

So anything that makes VoIP easier or does not risk infringement of an ISP's terms of service is welcome. That's not to say Mobivox or Jajah, for example, are hard to use. No harder than dialing an access number, really.

But 8x8's Packet8 MobileTalk arguably is even easier.Packet8 MobileTalk uses a downloadable software application that can currently reside on any Windows, Palm or Symbian based mobile phone. The app works in the background.

Packet8 MobileTalk users can dial calls directly and natively from their mobile handset, contact list or speed dial directory with no additional keystrokes.

Once a destination number is dialed or selected, the Packet8 MobileTalk software application identifies the international prefix being called and redirects the call to a local Packet8 network access number.

That's it.

You download the MobileTalk app, then make calls as usual. When an international number is dialed, MobileTalk automatically redirects the call to a local access number, which uses the 8X8 VoIP network to complete the call.

Packet8 MobileTalk is currently available for Windows Mobile, Symbian, and BlackBerry phones, and is expected for Java phones in soon.

Sign up now and the activation fee is waived. There is no monthly recurring charge.

As this data from Sound Partners suggests, more minutes of use are going to shift to mobile VoIP, as this forecast suggests will be the case in western Europe.

Streaming Causing ISPs to Upgrade

Consumer use of streaming video over the web has more than doubled in the past year, and Internet service providers and networking companies--at least their personnel--believe lots more is coming, according to the results of a recent ChangeWave Alliance poll.

Nearly two-in-three industry respondents (26 percent) think the delivery of streaming video has significantly increased the demand for networking technology and products, while 38 percent say it's caused a moderate demand increase, says Paul Carton, ChangeWave analyst.

Count Cisco and other infrastructure suppliers, as well as bandwidth barons, as winners.

at&t VoIP for Austin

U-verse IP-based voice service is being introduced in the Austin area. So those of you who wonder when incumbent service providers will get on the VoIP bandwagon have an answer. VoIP makes most sense for an incumbent provider when the basic service package includes other IP-based video services.

Even when IP isn't extended completely to all the end points, the adoption pattern will mirror the ways IP and optical fiber was introduced into the rest of the network. IP made first sense in the network core. So did fiber. Over time, fiber extended into the metro trunking plant. That same sort of thing will happen as soft switches replace older TDM switches.

VoIP features will be made available at the central office, with media gateways between the end user analog equipment and the CO. Over a period of time, the gateways will migrate deeper into the access network.

But there will not be a complete flash cut to VoIP as the voice platform until some critical mass is reached. At some point, half the customers will be buying IP-based video or data services. Sometime around then, it starts to be feasible to decommission the older networks.

But not much before then will it make lots of sense.

DirecTV, FiOS Taking Share

DirecTV and Verizon's FiOS (where it is available) are getting 58 percent of the customers as consumers in a February 2008 survey describe the choices they will make in buying new video service providers.

Keep in mind, these are customers who already have decided to make a change. And as the incumbent, a cable operator is going to be hit disproportionately by customers who want to make a change.

The survey also suggests about four percent of respondents are leaving another service provider for Comcast, for example.

Considering that DirecTV is operating as a "single play" for the most part, it is doing quite well, though some percentage of its new additions come from telephone company customers buying DirecTV as the "video" component of a virtual triple play or dual play.

Apple and RIM Lead Smart phone Sales

According to a March 2008 ChangeWave survey of 3,597 consumers, the smart phone industry is "a two-horse race between Research In Motion's BlackBerry and Apple's iPhone," say Paul Carton and Jim Woods, ChangeWave analysts.

As the incumbent, RIM continues to enjoy a commanding market share lead, with 42 percent. Apple has nine percent, but is growing faster than RIM.

If customer satisfaction is an indicator of future growth, Apple will contiunue gaining share. About 79 percent of iPhone owners report they're "very satisfied" with their phone. About 54 percent of BlackBerry users say the same.

Among respondents planning to buy a new smart phone in the next 90 days, 35 percent say they'll purchase an Apple iPhone, a huge jump since January 2008.

About 29 percent say they will buy a BlackBerry.

at&t Warms to Android

Initially cautious about the Google-initiated Open Handset Alliance, at&t Wireless might be having a change of heart.

"I like it a lot more than I did before," says Ralph de la Vega, AT&T Mobility CEO. "It's something we would want in our portfolio."

"I think it's going to be a good option for us and a good option for our customers," de la Vega says. The wireless giant might be intrigued about being able to put its own applications on OHA devices.

And that offers at&t room for innovation and differentiation, just as open platforms allow innovation by other application providers.

Intel: Internet in Your Pocket

There's a symmetry between Intel introducing new "Atom" processors and Sprint's interest in WiMAX. As the Internet becomes more pervasive, the desire to be constantly connected using wireless and wired broadband--but especially wireless-- will drive the creation of computing-intensive consumer products that benefit from really-fast wireless connectivity.

And that's the whole idea behind the Intel Centrino Atom processor, formerly known as "Silverthorne": low power consumption, advanced graphics handling, quality audio and fast page downloads.

The whole idea is that new consumer devices benefiting from fast mobile broadband will emerge.

In a real way, that's what is emerging from studies of how Apple iPhone users behave. Sure, people talk, text and check their email. But the really stunning behavioral difference is the use of Web applications.

"Internet in your pocket" is a fairly accurate way to describe the coming change. Unless that is going to be a big trend, everybody is wasting time and money thinking about and preparing to build WiMAX, LTE (Long Term Evolution) and other fourth-generation networks.

Biggest Non-Story at CTIA

Sprint Nextel announcing a reinvigorated WiMax venture with Clearwire, Comcast, Time Warner Google and Intel. There was supposedly an April 1 self-imposed deadline for reaching agreement, and it does appear the deadline passed with no agreement.

That, in and of itself, doesn't necessarily mean a deal won't ultimately be reached, or that a deal is unreachable. Cable operators have been in deals with Sprint before, with arguably meager gains on the operational front. But they know Sprint.

What the cablers might not be so sure about is their wireless strategy. Some might argue that with open networks coming, owning the network might not be crucial. Others, possibly with less justification, might argue that cablers don't actually "get" the importance of wireless.

More plausibly, there remain several issues. Investors probably are not wild about the capital investments. Cable executives traditionally have not been comfortable running services on somebody else's network. Wireless is not necessarily a core competency or a service that can be incrementally grafted onto the hybrid fiber coax network.

Perhaps some worry about betting on WiMAX when the telcos will back LTE. More significantly, perhaps, is uncertainty about the size and customer appetite for all sorts of services that go beyond voice. There is, in fact, almost no reason to build wireless broadband networks capable of 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps if in fact various sorts of new broadband services are not the revenue drivers.

And lots of experienced people probably would have to admit it is not yet possible to outline all the popular new services and business models that will drive fourth generation networks. In the midst of that much uncertainty, executives might not feel a need to rush a decision.

Most Jarring Moment at CTIA

There often is some point, in an opening keynote at CTIA, when a keynoter tosses out an applause line, typically having to do with Google, Skype or open networks in general. And amidst the applause, one always is reminded that innovations almost always have been "forced" upon the industry--the salient exception being digital switching--which allowed service providers to lower their costs while adding features.

That's not to pick on wireless providers. The same thing happens at cable industry keynotes and elsewhere. Every organization and every person must have a business model, it goes without saying. And it asks too much of participants to expect robust embrace of trends that harm their own revenue models.

But that is what markets are about, and why they are a good thing. And lest we forget: markets only work when they permit harm to befall contestants when better alternatives arise. Take away failure and there is no way to drive success. "Creative destruction," economists call it.

Still, it is asking too much to expect people to welcome harm. Hence the applause.

Best Rumor from CTIA Day One

Why aren't members of Google's core voice team showing up for scheduled meetings at the CTIA: Wireless Association trade show? Because they all are away putting together an acquisition of Skype, or a partnership with it, surmises TechCrunch Editor Michael Arrington.

Samsung Instinct Available in June

Sprint Nextel will roll out the new Samsung Instinct, a full touch-screen device running on the Rev. A network, in June. Sprint will have exclusive right to sell the device, initially.

Samsung Instinct will be seen as a competitor to the Apple iPhone, of course.

It is designed for fast Web browsing, email access, commercial-free radio and Sprint Navigation, powered by Telenav, with GPS-enabled audio and visual turn-by-turn driving directions, one-click traffic rerouting and more than 10 million local listings.

Live Search for Sprint, powered by Microsoft, provides easy access to directory information on-the-go, GPS-enabled directions, interactive maps and one-touch click to call access

Sprint TV offers live and on-demand programming.
Sprint Exclusive Entertainment offers made-for-mobile sports and entertainment video.

Sprint Music Store allows users to browse and wirelessly download full-length songs directly to their phone for 99 cents each.

Pocket Express offers up-to-date information on sports, weather, news, movie showtimes and other options customized to the user's zip code.

Three dedicated keys on the lower portion of the handset make operation of the device very straightforward and easy to navigate, the company says. The phone key always takes the user back to essential voice calling and features including speed dial, visual voicemail, contacts and the dial pad. The back key is a consistent way to take a step back in the operation.

The home key on the Samsung Instinct provides quick access to the four menus of functionality:

"Favorites" provides one-touch access to the things a user does most, making customization and personalization extremely simple. Web sites, TV channels, text messaging friends and much more can be saved in the Favorites menu so the items used most are always at the user's fingertips.

"Main" includes applications such as Messaging, Voicemail, GPS Navigation and more.

The "Fun" menu brings up music, TV, photos and games.

"Web" takes a user straight to Web site options.

Samsung Instinct features Visual Voicemail, allowing users to listen to messages in their order of preference and manage them with a simple tap of the screen.

Both corporate and consumer (POP3) email accounts are supported.

Multitasking capabilities allow the user to play music in background mode while surfing the Internet, texting or playing games,.

Pricing for Samsung Instinct has not yet been announced. In order for customers to experience the full capabilities of the device, Samsung Instinct requires activation on a Sprint Everything pricing plan offering unlimited data starting at just $69.99 per month.

133 Million Global WiMAX Subs

The WiMAX Forum projects more than 133 million WiMAX users globally by 2012. The forecast is based on the results of an independently commissioned research study that further estimates 70 percent of the WiMAX users by 2012 will use mobile and portable WiMAX devices.

Best Buy Gets First HTC Touch Dual

HTC Corp. says the HTC Touch Dual will debut in the United States in the second quarter, with Best Buy getting rights to sell the device first. The HTC Touch Dual combines a touch screen and slide-out keypad, and runs Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional software.

The HTC Touch Dual, which will be available through select Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile retail outlets, and online at BestBuy.com and htc.com.

Lots of Bundle Shopping

Analysts at Compete say there has been a strong upsurge in comparison shopping by users investigating triple play and quadruple play bundles offered by leading telecom and cable companies.

The data suggests that cable providers are more exposed, at the moment, than are at&t or Verizon.

Compete suggests wireless services are providing more stickiness at the moment.

Nokia N810 for Xohm

Nokia's N810 mobile Internet tablet will be one of the first devices available for use on the Xohm WiMAX network Sprint Nextel Corp. is launching commercially in April.

The device has a 4.13-inch touch screen and is among at least 10 devices Xohm expects to have available at launch.

The Xohm N810 also connects using Wi-Fi. Presumably the big attraction of the Xohm network is its ability to function more like a mobile Internet service than a conventional mobile service, so devices should skew towards mobile Web, mobile Internet and other devices that benefit from the "always connected" feature.

The three initial markets are Chicago, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.