re: SMS progress in the US
It has taken Verizon the better part of a year and lots of bucks, but ...
>> Verizon Wireless Launches Two-Way SMS
24 January 2001
Simon Buckingham
Mobile Lifestreams
Verizon Wireless, the largest US CDMA network operator, has launched two-way SMS in its Los Angeles market. The carrier plans to roll out two-way SMS to more than 100 markets over the coming months. Roll outs are gradual because software upgrades are needed in the mobile network switches to support SMS send functionality and Verizon uses several switch vendors given it has integrated several network acquisitions.
Verizon Wireless was formed by the combination of the U.S. wireless businesses of Bell Atlantic Corp. and GTE Corp - now Verizon Communications - and Vodafone.
(Mobile Lifestreams has consulted for GTE Wireless on CMDA SMS MO launch strategy and technology differentiation segmentation).
This is significant news because it marks a commitment to two way text messaging by such a large CDMA network operator.
When TDMA networks launched two-way SMS, it was smaller networks such as Midwest Wireless, Telecom New Zealand and Cellcom Israel that pioneered this service, only for AT&T Wireless the largest TDMA carrier in North America to follow.
CDMA has followed a similar trend, with two-way SMS pioneered by Telstra Australia.
Sprint PCS, another large North American network operator, seems to still be skeptical about SMS and is continuing to push its packet data services, HDML services and wireless instant messaging. This is a missed opportunity given the differentiation between these services and the reach that SMS has into certain segments that these services do not and the successful business models that exist with SMS that are not present with WAP/ HDML and other services.
Interestingly, Verizon Wireless has recently told Nokia that it will not accept shipments of certain phone models from them until they support SMS MO in their CDMA handsets. Nokia has therefore been trying to implement this functionality. Terminals from CDMA handset vendors such as Audiovox and LG already support SMS Mobile Originate (Send) functionality.
Congratulations to Verizon Wireless for realizing the power and potential for text messaging services. The support of such large network operators will drive substantial SMS volume growth in CDMA markets during 2001 and beyond. <<
- Eric - |
