1. This deserved a dedicated post - Do read it before continuing. So much for my planned balcony venture once I move to more mountainous climes. Though the deal is not to get greedy perhaps - apparently even ripping music CDs and MP3 tracks and sharing is legal under a law called something like "Personal Fair Play" or something. So maybe the trip of a few blokes coming home on the weekend in the future is not unreal, Google Earth or not! But then again, another interesting aside is the concept that Google Earth is accepted as evidence in a court of law - is this an interesting precedent too - is Big Brother really watching us after all!
2. So Google buys YouTube, and there's this hilarious set of ideas here. The joke will be when Google makes a gazabutimitrilion dollars of one of these!
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Notes on Convergence
I - The Devices
WiFi Based Stuff1. Sony integrates its MYLO marketing efforts with telcos. This is another trend of device manufacturers working with Telcos.
Mylo : A WiFi device, Music/SMS/eMails/Browsing/VOIP Talk services!
2. Coms offers WiFi handsets that seek out WiFi hotspots for message delivery or save them for later delivery when found. SIP enabled stuff.
3. Nikons WiFi Digital Camera
4. Zyxels WiFi Phone
VOIP Based Stuff
1. Auvi announces a Dual Mode Cordless Phone : VOIP + TDM, Base Station Unit connecting to PC & communicating with Cordless on DECT
Converged Devices
1. Archos : The destiny of the iPod without the phone set
II - The Services
1. BT's Fusion service : A fixed wireless convergence service
2. Lucent's top shot speaks of the need for Telco's to invest in understanding the impact of IMS
3. A variant of the Fixed-Mobile Convergence is Shozu's service offering - WiFi-Mobile convergence - the device chooses prefered routing over WiFi networks and chooses Cellular networks when the former is unavailable. When further integrated with Flickr, the device automatically enables community building
Endnotes - Industry Ramblings
1. There are three levels of convergence as per this article : Network, Terminal & Service. Quite a nice article that speaks of the implications of convergence in a real practical current situation based on technologies currently available.
implementation on the kinds of services that can be configured/offered, the delivery mechanism of these services & the new revenue streams that arise from such hosted-delivery.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Notes on WiMax/WiFi
Snippets of global implementations
1. Milpitas & San Francisco : 2 Earthlink projects, the Milpitas project is pushed by the local council, whereas the San Francisco project by Google. Hpwever it seems the Google project of SFO is running into rough waters!
2. British Telecom plans to get in the fray
3. Singapore gets underway - Government intervention to speed up through discounting is interesting. Another detailed article on the exact nature of the implementation of the Singapore Free-WiFi project.
4. Not just telcos or tech firms like Google above, but even Airlines are offering their own WiFi solutions, though the jury is out on that one - as in the case of Continental and Delta Airlines.
5. Another local government initiative in Wilson, North Carolina
6. A brilliant write up on Korea's Broadband vision by their Minister of Information and Communication. Clearly Maran has some learning to do, inspite of his brilliance! Clearly outlines the role that the state can play when it takes on its mantle of providing infrastructure for growth through large scale investment
7. Equipment vendors like Motorola & Samsung too are watching the WiMax space with interest, as it represents opportunities for their hardware implementation
8. Boston city too offering free WiFi in select areas as a government initiative. Just as the Boston government has outsourced the WiFi network creation to a the Charys Technology Group, the same could probably be done here too, where the govt. approaches a complete third party and not a Telco. This little note talks about the various players in this particular WiFi initiative - 4 different players in this case!
9. As more players enter the "Free WiFi" model seeking revenues on advertising, one of the casualties is Verilan, which has found the advertising revenue model too speculative and shut shop, thus characterizing the WiFi market as being for those with deep pockets.
10. AT&T - another free WiFi model provider for CA city, trying to beat Google and Earthlink. The ad-revenue on web page model.
11. Bangalore, MG Road - India's own failed kickstart to a free WiFi model.
Corporate implementations
1. A tyre company, Continental, implements a solution from WiFi Hotspot vendor iPass & integrator firm ETT, to offer its employees WiFi access over 62000 Hotspots.
WiFi Facts and Figures
1. Users spend on average more than 2 hours signed in to a Wi-Fi session
2. 85 percent of respondents would be willing to use a Wi-Fi network installed and supported by a major network operator, whilst only 34 percent would be willing to use an independent Wi-Fi network
3. Accessing Wi-Fi services via a laptop was the most popular method with 86 percent of respondents connecting in this way. 19 percent also accessed Wi-Fi services via a PDA
4. Hotels are the most popular choice of location for accessing Wi-Fi services, with 42 percent of respondents connecting here. Coffee shops were the second most popular with 32 percent and airports third with 29 percent : All of these from the T-Mobile commissioned study
The corresponding devices/equipment/services market
1. In the US, T-mobile has already invested in WiFi zones and needs people using this infrastructure. However adequate mobile devices have not yet proliferated that are offered in conjunction with the right plans from the telco operator. Initiatives such as MYLO from Sony will help drive adoption of WiFi more extensively
2. With all the hoopla on WiFi devices, there is however alternate 3G competing with WiFi, to provide the same benefit of Wireless Broadband that is more in line with the FMC platforms.
3. On the services front within the WiMax landscape, there exists Elitecore Technologies which provides end to end OSS/BSS services through its Crestel Convergent Billing solution.
4. Skype ties up with The Cloud, a WiFi Hotspot provider across Europe, and with an SMC Networks WiFi handset, one can make Skype calls from any of Cloud's 8500 hotspots across Europe.
5. Apple enters the telecom market, integrating a cellphone into its iPod, with a WiFi enabled device.
Going Beyond
1. P2P WiFi - If there is P2P sharing of content, why not of wireless bandwidth? Here is a device probably ahead of its time! And yet again, there are interesting revenue models possible as the world gets more WiMax'd and constant connectivity is an imperative need.
2. P2P WiFi in a different manner - French company Free opens its subscribers WiFi to other subscribers upto 64Kbps speeds. Clearly this could wipe out FON as above & also is an interesting trend - maybe the Internet Highways are truly Toll Free with their engendered commerce the only true lasting benefit.
Wimax/WiFi versus 3G/HSDPA
1. Will WiMax get the first mover advantage over Mobile networks?
2. The ABI research report briefly summarized - very briefly! It would appear that given the investments already made in cellular network towers and their immediate usability for HSDPA versus the required investments to be made for WiMax, the former technology has a distinct implementation advantage over the latter - there, I got that!
Resources
1. Wireless Broadband : A primer on the past and the implementation mechanisms, quite a thorough article.
2. Mobile / Wireless Broadband : Another wonderfully readable article on the various technologies and deployment status of each in India.
1. Milpitas & San Francisco : 2 Earthlink projects, the Milpitas project is pushed by the local council, whereas the San Francisco project by Google. Hpwever it seems the Google project of SFO is running into rough waters!
2. British Telecom plans to get in the fray
3. Singapore gets underway - Government intervention to speed up through discounting is interesting. Another detailed article on the exact nature of the implementation of the Singapore Free-WiFi project.
4. Not just telcos or tech firms like Google above, but even Airlines are offering their own WiFi solutions, though the jury is out on that one - as in the case of Continental and Delta Airlines.
5. Another local government initiative in Wilson, North Carolina
6. A brilliant write up on Korea's Broadband vision by their Minister of Information and Communication. Clearly Maran has some learning to do, inspite of his brilliance! Clearly outlines the role that the state can play when it takes on its mantle of providing infrastructure for growth through large scale investment
7. Equipment vendors like Motorola & Samsung too are watching the WiMax space with interest, as it represents opportunities for their hardware implementation
8. Boston city too offering free WiFi in select areas as a government initiative. Just as the Boston government has outsourced the WiFi network creation to a the Charys Technology Group, the same could probably be done here too, where the govt. approaches a complete third party and not a Telco. This little note talks about the various players in this particular WiFi initiative - 4 different players in this case!
9. As more players enter the "Free WiFi" model seeking revenues on advertising, one of the casualties is Verilan, which has found the advertising revenue model too speculative and shut shop, thus characterizing the WiFi market as being for those with deep pockets.
10. AT&T - another free WiFi model provider for CA city, trying to beat Google and Earthlink. The ad-revenue on web page model.
11. Bangalore, MG Road - India's own failed kickstart to a free WiFi model.
Corporate implementations
1. A tyre company, Continental, implements a solution from WiFi Hotspot vendor iPass & integrator firm ETT, to offer its employees WiFi access over 62000 Hotspots.
WiFi Facts and Figures
1. Users spend on average more than 2 hours signed in to a Wi-Fi session
2. 85 percent of respondents would be willing to use a Wi-Fi network installed and supported by a major network operator, whilst only 34 percent would be willing to use an independent Wi-Fi network
3. Accessing Wi-Fi services via a laptop was the most popular method with 86 percent of respondents connecting in this way. 19 percent also accessed Wi-Fi services via a PDA
4. Hotels are the most popular choice of location for accessing Wi-Fi services, with 42 percent of respondents connecting here. Coffee shops were the second most popular with 32 percent and airports third with 29 percent : All of these from the T-Mobile commissioned study
The corresponding devices/equipment/services market
1. In the US, T-mobile has already invested in WiFi zones and needs people using this infrastructure. However adequate mobile devices have not yet proliferated that are offered in conjunction with the right plans from the telco operator. Initiatives such as MYLO from Sony will help drive adoption of WiFi more extensively
2. With all the hoopla on WiFi devices, there is however alternate 3G competing with WiFi, to provide the same benefit of Wireless Broadband that is more in line with the FMC platforms.
3. On the services front within the WiMax landscape, there exists Elitecore Technologies which provides end to end OSS/BSS services through its Crestel Convergent Billing solution.
4. Skype ties up with The Cloud, a WiFi Hotspot provider across Europe, and with an SMC Networks WiFi handset, one can make Skype calls from any of Cloud's 8500 hotspots across Europe.
5. Apple enters the telecom market, integrating a cellphone into its iPod, with a WiFi enabled device.
Going Beyond
1. P2P WiFi - If there is P2P sharing of content, why not of wireless bandwidth? Here is a device probably ahead of its time! And yet again, there are interesting revenue models possible as the world gets more WiMax'd and constant connectivity is an imperative need.
2. P2P WiFi in a different manner - French company Free opens its subscribers WiFi to other subscribers upto 64Kbps speeds. Clearly this could wipe out FON as above & also is an interesting trend - maybe the Internet Highways are truly Toll Free with their engendered commerce the only true lasting benefit.
Wimax/WiFi versus 3G/HSDPA
1. Will WiMax get the first mover advantage over Mobile networks?
2. The ABI research report briefly summarized - very briefly! It would appear that given the investments already made in cellular network towers and their immediate usability for HSDPA versus the required investments to be made for WiMax, the former technology has a distinct implementation advantage over the latter - there, I got that!
Resources
1. Wireless Broadband : A primer on the past and the implementation mechanisms, quite a thorough article.
2. Mobile / Wireless Broadband : Another wonderfully readable article on the various technologies and deployment status of each in India.
Notes on IPTV
Drivers for IPTV Adoption in India
When the stakes are such that a 10% increase in declared subscriber numbers can shoot up the overall earnings by 400-500Cr, then the pressure on moving to a more transparent IPTV or DTH based setup. The question of curbing piracy and the potential for even more revenues from the delivery of secure digitized content is another of the factors driving the broadcast houses to investigate and push for IPTV.
Barriers to adoption
Content
One the key barriers is the availability of licensed content in a form consumable for delivery. These will require extensive discussions between Telco's and Broadcasters or Multimedia houses to enable effective content and revenue sharing models falling in place; mostly through either proven models globally or through alliances. Given the multitude of content providers, alliances would seem a restrictive option though.
Regulation
The initial attempts of TRAI were to setup the Interconnect agreements between MSOs & Broadcasters to enable a discussion and agreement on the nature of revenue share agreements. However this has not moved much and now we have the ala-carte Rs5 per channel pricing model to help kick off the IPTV revolution.
Indian Players in Operation
1. Reliance has its story setup with the Microsoft Platform based delivery. Apparently, Msft finds IPTV in India so compelling that it plans to pick up a strategic equity in RCoVL.
2. MTNL : Launches in Delhi, expects 40K Subs, offering 30+ Channels @ 125, SD = 500 + 1000, Rs 5/- per channel. Converged services, single bill by Jan 2007
Global Players - Whats happening
1. Tiscali UK does a revenue share with an existing broadcaster (Homechoice), here the broadcaster already has a Triple Play offering & Tiscali is yet to have its own.
2. T-Com sets up a user experience monitoring and tracking system - Schenik's DiversifEye technology
3. BT readies itself to deploy Vision, its IPTV service - Set top boxes by Philips, Microsoft platform. Most content tie ups are claimed to be done
Emerging technologies of convergence
In-House-Networking related
One of the challenges of IPTV will be the disparate locations of the delivery devices within the home. There are convergent solutions on this front that are being spoken, with very specific companies in this domain. However, ff solutions dont converge - offer both seems to be an option! Or so Belgacom is doing, with a BPL technology & WiFi technology to beat the in-house cabling problem!
Industry Lanscape
Conventional Software/IT/Tech companies
Home networking companies
Electronic equipment providers
Content Security Firms
1. Pixelmetrix : A company offering Testing services on IPTV content - testing also to include the conventional equivalent of RA, as in the content has been delivered or not.
Resources
1. Quite a nice link, covers breadth with little depth though, extensive breadth
2. A short summary of the research conducted by the Diffusion Group on IPTV numbers
When the stakes are such that a 10% increase in declared subscriber numbers can shoot up the overall earnings by 400-500Cr, then the pressure on moving to a more transparent IPTV or DTH based setup. The question of curbing piracy and the potential for even more revenues from the delivery of secure digitized content is another of the factors driving the broadcast houses to investigate and push for IPTV.
Barriers to adoption
Content
One the key barriers is the availability of licensed content in a form consumable for delivery. These will require extensive discussions between Telco's and Broadcasters or Multimedia houses to enable effective content and revenue sharing models falling in place; mostly through either proven models globally or through alliances. Given the multitude of content providers, alliances would seem a restrictive option though.
Regulation
The initial attempts of TRAI were to setup the Interconnect agreements between MSOs & Broadcasters to enable a discussion and agreement on the nature of revenue share agreements. However this has not moved much and now we have the ala-carte Rs5 per channel pricing model to help kick off the IPTV revolution.
Indian Players in Operation
1. Reliance has its story setup with the Microsoft Platform based delivery. Apparently, Msft finds IPTV in India so compelling that it plans to pick up a strategic equity in RCoVL.
2. MTNL : Launches in Delhi, expects 40K Subs, offering 30+ Channels @ 125, SD = 500 + 1000, Rs 5/- per channel. Converged services, single bill by Jan 2007
Global Players - Whats happening
1. Tiscali UK does a revenue share with an existing broadcaster (Homechoice), here the broadcaster already has a Triple Play offering & Tiscali is yet to have its own.
2. T-Com sets up a user experience monitoring and tracking system - Schenik's DiversifEye technology
3. BT readies itself to deploy Vision, its IPTV service - Set top boxes by Philips, Microsoft platform. Most content tie ups are claimed to be done
Emerging technologies of convergence
In-House-Networking related
One of the challenges of IPTV will be the disparate locations of the delivery devices within the home. There are convergent solutions on this front that are being spoken, with very specific companies in this domain. However, ff solutions dont converge - offer both seems to be an option! Or so Belgacom is doing, with a BPL technology & WiFi technology to beat the in-house cabling problem!
Industry Lanscape
Conventional Software/IT/Tech companies
Home networking companies
Electronic equipment providers
Content Security Firms
1. Pixelmetrix : A company offering Testing services on IPTV content - testing also to include the conventional equivalent of RA, as in the content has been delivered or not.
Resources
1. Quite a nice link, covers breadth with little depth though, extensive breadth
2. A short summary of the research conducted by the Diffusion Group on IPTV numbers
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