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Email has grown rapidly through open Internet standards and the proliferation of laptops and personal computers. When Canadian company RIM combined cell phone ubiquity with two-way pager simplicity in the BlackBerry, mobile email evolved from laptop connection to encompass a more portable form factor. The BlackBerry appeal is broad, if not yet deep, but the real value to business comes when mobile email is combined with other applications, turning BlackBerry into a mobile platform and bringing it head to head with incumbents like Microsoft.
There has been a significant effect created by BlackBerry, with a third of those surveyed being BlackBerry users, and almost 60% of the non-users having a view of its worth. Whilst there are a number of alternative mobile email solutions, the comparison is always with BlackBerry.
There is a growing business email culture and a strong mobile phone penetration across Europe and so it is no surprise that notwithstanding cost, size and battery life considerations, almost 70% thought mobile email might become a standard feature to roll out to all mobile phone users. This creates challenges as well as opportunities for mobile email.
Options create uncertainty, as standards have yet to emerge
The simplicity of the total BlackBerry solution is diluted when other options are considered. The BlackBerry Enterprise Server and native Microsoft Exchange connectivity were equally regarded as standards. However this belies the fact that BlackBerry installations will have been hard fought and justified, whereas many businesses would adopt a Microsoft-centric view more by default for their in-house solutions.
About O2
mmO2 is a group of companies providing mobile communications services in Europe.
It has developed a strong presence in high-value markets through the provision of mobile data and internet services. By 30 September 2004, the business was serving 22 million mobile customers in the UK, Germany, Ireland and the Isle of Man.
The combined group turnover for the year ending 31 March 2004 reached ?5.646 billion, up 22% from the preceding year. Group turnover for the half year ending 30 September 2004 reached ?3.285 billion. Data represented 21.9% of the total service revenues in the quarter ending 30 September 2004. mmO2 was the first company in the world to launch and rollout a commercial GPRS (or 2.5G) network and has secured third generation mobile telephony ("3G") licences in the UK, Ireland and Germany.
September 2001 saw the launch of the group's new consumer brand, O2. Encouraging brand understanding will help to reinforce a consistent vision and strategic focus across the group.
Starmap pan-European mobile alliance
To strengthen its international orientation, O2 has joined the Starmap Mobile Alliance, a union of eleven leading mobile operators. The Starmap Mobile Alliance provides seamless, enhanced voice and data solutions for businesses and consumers when travelling across Europe. Reaching over 53 million users, the alliance allows O2 to collaborate in the fields of technology, purchasing and sales. The alliance includes only one representative per country, which eliminates the complexities that can arise with multiple in-country partners.
Starmap aims to drive revenue growth by being quick to market with new and innovative cross-border products and services. Starmap members' customers can already benefit from GPRS and MMS roaming, as well as access to familiar services such as voice-mail and short-code dialling whilst travelling in other alliance countries. Flat-rate roaming tariffs for corporate customers have been introduced in a number of territories. Starmap also aims to deliver operating efficiencies for members, who are currently collaborating on initiatives in the areas of sourcing, technology, and sales to large corporate customers.
About Quocirca
Quocirca is a research and analysis company with a focus on the European market for information technology and communications (ITC). Its analyst team is made up of real-world practitioners with first hand experience of ITC delivery who continuously research and track the industry in the following key areas:
- Business Process Evolution and Enablement - Enterprise Applications and Integration - Communications, Collaboration and Mobility - Infrastructure and IT Systems Management - Utility Computing and Delivery of IT as a Service - IT Delivery Channels and Practices - IT Investment Activity, Behaviour and Planning
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