Posted on Thursday, 18th February 2010 by Kash
As you probably know from this issue’s cover, Malaysia’s very own mobile brand CSL is celebrating its 10th anniversary. That’s an amazing feat if you ask me.
For a locally-inspired brand to have not only survived but actually thrived over a decade is truly amazing when you consider how many brands have come and gone over the years. Big and small brands have either fallen to the wayside or are on life support systems and yet CSL continues to grow. They’re even going regional through expansion into Indonesia and other countries. Way to go, CSL!
When I met CSL’s MD Dato’ Eric Chuah Seong Ling recently, I congratulated him and also told him that in honour of CSL’s 10th Anniversary, I would write a 10 point Mobility column in this issue. So here goes.
1. It is going be a good year for the mobile industry in 2010. Last year at this same time my column was entitled ‘Hang The Downturn, 2009 Will Rock!’ and I was right. Think app stores, mobile data and all those gorgeous smartphones that came out in 2009. You will agree that there was hardly any slowdown in the mobile industry. Well, this year will be even better as these trends are still going strong.
2. I also predicted that Android will be the OS to watch and that’s also turning out the way I thought it would be. Another thing I got right was that brands like Motorola and Philips were declining while CSL would go from strength to strength. I said Microsoft will fall behind and they ensured that prediction would come true with their dismal WinMo 6.5. I also got the 3G boom and the not-much-impact Mobile Number Portability right.
3. I said that Location Based Services would be big in 2009. Though I was right about this worldwide, it’s been slow in Malaysia mainly because there are no compelling apps here. I’m going to say I was wrong here. But, Foursquare app is here and there are a few more coming this year. I’m still bullish on this one. I was badly wrong on local search and NFC though.
4. I also said that WiMAX would not make a big impact in 2009 and I don’t know whether I was right or wrong. The ‘potong’ campaign certainly got P1 (and WiMAX by default) a lotof publicity but I am not sure exactly how many paying long term subscribers they have. Still, I’ll be generous to them and say that on average I got this slightly wrong too.
5. There are lots of reasons why I will like 2010. For one, it’s going to be a great year for the mobile industry. In fact, I believe that we have just entered into a period of massive growth for the mobile industry – one that will be powered by mobile Internet and apps.
6. On devices, the Nokia N900, Motorola Droid and a whole lot more smartphones are going to keep coming and coming this year. That means even more choices and lower prices so that means more cheer all around.
7. More choices on services too and especially when it comes to local content and applications. Even as you read this, plenty of developers are working on Malaysia-centric contents and apps. They have been spurred into action by the various content grants and funding that has been made available for the content industry through agencies like MDeC, MOSTI, Cradle and SKMM.
8. Call rates and SMS charges will come down. They have to as voice and basic data have become commodities. Plus if they want us to take up mobile data plans which will add to our bills, something will have to give and I think it will be call and SMS costs.
9. This could also very likely be the year of MVNOs. There’s Baraka, TuneTalk, XoX, Merchantrade, REDtone and counting. Plus, more WiMAX operators will be operating in the country so we will really be spoilt for choice.
10. Lastly, I am happy that finally someone is going to take care of our deplorable broadband. Now that we have made it into so many lists of worst broadband speeds, I’m guessing that panic buttons have been pressed. That means better mobile and fixed broadband services for you and me.
Have a prosperous and meaningful 2010!
Talk to Kash about mobility.
Email him at kash@oneworld.com.my
Follow him on Twitter: Twitter.com/kashminder
Note: This article appeared in the January 2010 issue of Mobile World Magazine
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