1.5 Million i-Mode Wireless Users In Europe
Research released by Jupiter estimates that subscribers to i-mode services in Europe will grow to 1.5 million by the end of 2003, up from a total 270,000 at the end of 2002. Although i-mode will remain a niche mobile platform in Europe generating small revenues, the low cost of building an i-mode presence makes it a worthwhile investment for content and services providers.
Growth in the European i-mode user base is being driven by three factors:
Firstly, i-mode is being heavily promoted by several mobile operators including Bouygues Telecom in France and shortly by Telefonica Moviles in Spain. Secondly, a wider choice of i-mode handsets is helping to make the platform more attractive to consumers. Thirdly, a low price point of less than ?100 for colour screen handsets has enabled i-mode to compete with
other network operators’ MMS offerings.
For providers of content and other services targeted at i-mode users, development and maintenance costs will be relatively low, averaging between ?20,000 and ?40,000 per year. Although potential revenues will be limited, likely margins from such a relatively low investment should be high. Experience from i-mode in Japan suggests that the most-popular content
providers will be likely to attract around five percent of total i-mode users each month in any one country. Jupiter Research believes that i-mode will remain a valuable but niche revenue stream for mobile operators and will be recognised as a single part of a broader wireless strategy that includes premium SMS and premium MMS.
Olivier Beauvillain, Analyst at Jupiter Research, said: “Although Vodafone Live! will race ahead of its rival i-mode in Europe, content providers must not ignore the i-mode platform, particularly in France and Spain, where it will have the strongest penetration. Indeed, i-mode is a low risk business and has created a learning path to develop a strong, long term mobile strategy ahead of the rollout of next generation services.”
Gepost in: Mobile marketing
Edwin Duys, MediaCatalyst
Ooit organisatie-adviseur en rechterhand van bestuursvoorzitter(s) bij Fortis Amev en vanaf 1995 in aanraking gekomen met het Internet. Sindsdien 'geraakt' door dit medium. Van manager E-commerce bij Ordina verantwoordelijk voor het internet diensten portfolio tot Business Development Manager bij een internet startup (online hypotheken en employee benefits). Alle pieken en dalen meegemaakt. De passie is gebleven. Inmiddels ruime ervaring en gespecialiseerd in internet marketing & sales. Gerenommeerde bedrijven als Essent, Amicon, Orange, Vodafone, Sony Europe, Yamaha Europe, Schiphol Group, Nestle, Amsterdam Admirals, Atradius, Mediamall, Philips en NXP heb ik van advies mogen voorzien. Mijn kennis en ervaring wil ik graag met je delen. Ben je geinteresseerd? Zie mijn profiel op LinkedIn. Of bezoek mijn persoonlijk blog of mijn portfolio.
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