tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17500930.post206978511868537136..comments2024-03-20T22:57:03.923+00:00Comments on Dean Bubley's Disruptive Wireless: GSMA Mobile Broadband announcement - a billion dollar ho-humDean Bubleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05719150957239368264noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17500930.post-8800862933443758182008-10-01T21:57:00.000+01:002008-10-01T21:57:00.000+01:00Dean,As you know Snapdragon has a 3G core as well ...Dean,<BR/><BR/>As you know Snapdragon has a 3G core as well as a computing core and is being designed into a lot of mini-laptops/netbooks etc. The integration of the 3G core reduces the cost of the chipset and is very similar to the Intel/WIMAX integration model. I am betting that going forward netbooks with integrated 3G will be the norm.<BR/><BR/>http://mobilebroadbandblog.wordpress.com/2008/09/26/3g-embedded-netbooks-killer-product/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17500930.post-71637332928919588582008-10-01T14:23:00.000+01:002008-10-01T14:23:00.000+01:00Hi Dean,Thanks for the post.I would like to start ...Hi Dean,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the post.<BR/>I would like to start by saying that all of this needs to be put into the right context.<BR/><BR/>1. I believe that, like any technology, HSPDA is not something for the masses (in Europe) today. When I say masses, I mean like ADSL is today a commodity.<BR/>I believe it can happen, but it will take time. But this is just as normal as the ADSL curve a couple of years ago.<BR/><BR/>2. The same applies to a 3G embedded module. Some will want it (gadget freaks, etc...) because its "cool", some will need it (utilities companies with large field operations, using PC cards today) and many may not need or want it.<BR/><BR/>3. Both points above are also dependent on the region the "end-user" is in. For example; I see emerging markets taking up certain things much faster then in Europe, because of the lack of copper (African nations like Ghana and Nigeria actually are "leapfrogging" to HSPDA) or the way people live. Prepay is hot for example on 3G dongles because in Asia (percentagewise) there are many more users without a bankaccount. Basically its a lot more cashdriven for example.<BR/>This means that in certain markets HSPDA will be complementary to ADSL/Fibre and in other markets it will have no competition from ADSL (African countries) and that in others markets (and with other players) you will see a competition pitch and ADSL vs. HDPA<BR/><BR/>4. In essence I agree that this is a "niche" like you said. However, I believe that many things are niches. I think VOIP, FemtoCells, Hotspots, 3G Dongles, Wimax, 3G Routers are all niches. Being a nice, these days is more common then not - its not a problem. And the world is a big place. A wise man once said: "it's better to have a little of a lot then a lot of nothing..."<BR/><BR/>5. I believe that, eventually, the more common model will be for a person to buy a Notebook, from a Dell website, where they have the option of "ticking the 3G box" and then selecting a carrier. The price of the module will be dictated by the contract term, that the end-users also selects. I also believe that this model works the best. If gives consumers all the options they want. This means that when you have a problem you will not be returning it to "Vodafone stores" but to Dell. And this is what people are used to.<BR/>The OEM's will be opportunistic and allow you to choose a carrier that works for them (price, subsidy, etc...). And if the uptake is to low, all they have to do is drop their prices to a point where is does take off. Funny enough that is exactly what happened in the ADSL days. As soon as "ADSL Lite" prices come down to a certain point, the masses starting adopting. And this was possible because enough "Niche" people were paying the "Unlimited prices". In short, its a matter of time.<BR/><BR/>5. It does mean however that MNO's will be eroding their margins, if they do nothing else. They will become bitpipes. And I am interested in learning how they plan to avoid this trap. Because if you think about it, MNO's will no longer be in the driver's seat.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com