CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom-New research shows Vodafone’s Live! wireless data service and NTT DoCoMo’s i-mode service are both poised for growth outside of Japan.
According to research and consulting firm Analysys Research, data services beyond text messaging will gradually take hold, but operators will have to pay careful attention to pricing, marketing and the availability of handsets.
“Both services now have a potential base in excess of 100 million users, and we expect strong growth during 2004,” said Mark Heath, co-author of the firm’s new report. “Operators that are not tied to Vodafone or DoCoMo have to identify other routes to achieve scale, including the formation of formal alliances such as the Starmap Mobile Alliance established by mmO2, One, Wind, Amena, Telenor Mobile, Pannon GSM and Sunrise.”
The firm also predicts growth in third-generation services.
