Whitepaper points out Mobile Payment Benefits
Paythru, a mobile payment firm has released a whitepaper which reveals that paying bills via a mobile phone can make it easier for consumers to balance the books and reduce costs for companies issuing the bills during an economic slump.
Titled ‘Are Mobile Payments the Answer to Getting the Bills Paid During a Downturn?’, this is the second whitepaper of its series. It explains how a consumer can battle control the timing of payments and so ensure they have sufficient funds to make the payment; reduce late payment fees by responding to text alerts, and pay bills of all sizes with the right payment system.
According to paythru, Managing Director, Keith Brown, with growing levels of bad debt and increasing pressure on both commercial and personal cash flow, it is important for both the customer and the bill issuer to find improved ways for paying bills.
In his opinion, using the ubiquitous mobile phone is one solution, as it reduces the cost, increases the speed of collection, and gives the bill payer more control over how and when they pay.
US mHealth Market examined by CSMG
CSMG, the strategy division of TMNG Global has unveiled a report on the state of the US mobile health (mHealth) market. According to CSMG, while the mHealth market presents significant growth opportunities, when taking into account device, software, connectivity and overall service revenue streams, the market and ecosystem are fragmented, creating challenges for any single player to address the full breadth of opportunities.
According to TMNG Global Chairman and CEO, Rich Nespola, mHealth is well positioned to address the needs and evolution of the US health care delivery because it provides cost-efficient care delivery and increases access to quality health care.
In her opinion, the proliferation of embedded wireless connected devices and Smartphone growth creates significant transformational opportunities to deliver cost-effective and viable mobile health care options. However, broader reform of the health care industry structure is needed to reach the full potential for integrating mHealth into the US health care delivery system.
The report expects the mHealth market to reach an estimated $4.6 billion (£3.1 billion) opportunity by 2014, however it also says that the market will be fragmented across many solutions and device types.
US Mobile Market consolidation not necessary- Deutsche Telekom CFO
Deutsche Telekom CFO, Timotheus Hoettges told Bloomberg News that he sees no need for further consolidation of the U.S. mobile-phone market.
He mentioned that there are four national players in the U.S. market for 300 million households, whereas in Europe, there are 350 million households with close to 70 operators.
Deutsche Telekom’s current focus in the U.S. is on expanding its 3G network. It is investing $3.5 billion euros in the network in 2009. He said that the mobile data market in the US is booming and they must participate in that now.
On the Issue of 4G networks, there is a possibility that T-mobile could provide funding in exchange for access to ClearWire’s 4G network. Verizon and AT&T are already buliding independent 4G networks.
Sub-USD 22 buzz on BSNL mobile
New Delhi, Sept. 18: State-owned telephony major Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) is preparing to break a major price barrier by coming out with a bundled telecom offer – handset with a cellular connection – at less than Rs 1,000 (approx USD 22)
BSNL’s sub-1000 offer could ignite a war in a new battle zone: the rural heartland.
“Nokia and Motorola are among the list of companies who are willing to offer handsets priced below Rs 1,000 a piece,” said a senior official at BSNL.
Confirming the development, Lloyd Mathias, director (marketing) at Motorola India Pvt Ltd, said, “We are part of the panel in discussion with BSNL to offer low-cost handsets. But the exact cost of the handset, the features included and the consumer offer has yet to be decided.”
But there is a caveat: Mathias said the cost of technology doesn’t make it possible to make a sub-Rs 1,000 handset. “If such an offer is made, the subsidy given on the handset will have to be borne by the service provider,” he added.
Analysts said semi-conductor companies like Germany-based Infineon and Netherlands-based Philips Semiconductors have created single chip technologies that can help mobile manufaturers produce basic handsets with voice and simple messaging capability for Rs 1,000 or less.
“The technology is in place. It is only a matter of working out a favourable cost structure to enable the successful creation of a sub-Rs 1,000 handset,” said Sudipto Basu, an independent telecom analyst.
At present, the cheapest bundled option is provided by Hutch, which offers a connection with a Motorola C115 handset at Rs 1,399.
Idea’s bundled offer includes a new connection with free talktime for one year, one-year validity and a handset with basic SMS and voice telephony services – all at a low cost of Rs 1,465; Reliance Communications and Tata Teleservices offer bundled schemes in a similar range of Rs 1,400 to Rs 1,700.
“BSNL’s sub Rs 1,000 bundled scheme would be a market clincher in this highly competitive, cost conscious mobile segment,” said Basu.
BSNL is all set to provide this low-cost offer to its customers as soon as “formalities with handset manufaturers are complete”.
“We are evaluating all the options given by handset manufacturers for sub-Rs 1,000 handsets, and would finalise a suitable offer for our customers soon,” said BSNL officials.
According to the Cellular Operators Association of India, India is the fastest-growing cellular market in the world, adding a net 5.9 million cellular subscribers in August.
“There’s a great demand for mobile phones in all sections of society, especially in the largely untapped rural market. Hence, service providers and handset manufacturers are offering low-cost handsets to penetrate the cost- conscious rural telephony arena,” said Pankaj Mohindroo, president of Indian Cellular Association.
Source- http://www.telegraphindia.com
Technorati : BSNL, India, Mobile
Ice Rocket : BSNL, India, Mobile
