Worldwide, 2007 was an eventful year for mobile. The Apple iPhone was launched, the Android OS was announced and a lot of developments and policies that will shape next generation mobile networks were confirmed. Locally, it was a relatively dull year for the Malaysian mobile scene.

 

The price wars between the telcos slowed down somewhat and even the phones were, dare we say it, just better versions of previous models. Of course, there were a few gems here and there. No, we did not (officially) get the iPhone but the LG Viewty made up for the disappointment. Similarly, despite our belief that it was one year late, the fact that DiGi is probably going to be able to offer 3G soon to subscribers was something to cheer about.

2008, on the other hand, will be a very exciting year for Malaysians mobile users. There are so many exciting things that will happen. Here are the major events and trends to look forward to.

1. Say hello to Mobile Number Portability (MNP)
This will be the year that subscribers will be able to take their numbers with them when they switch telcos. Expect this to take place in the second half of the year. Will it cause a major shift in the balance of power between telcos? Will there be a horde of consumers jumping over to another telco like what happened in countries like Hong Kong and Taiwan? Or will it be like Europe where mobile number portability was no big deal. You, the user, literally have the power to choose and your actions will decide if MNP impacts the industry.

2. Back to four telcos again.
Well actually, more than four but we’re referring here to U Mobile, Malaysia’s latest 3G operator. Expect it to come up with some disruptive marketing strategies. New shareholders, KT Freetel of Korea and NTT DoCoMo will surely leverage their expertise and experience in content and services so it is likely they will come up with some nice content and applications in a cheap bundle. Maybe even free unlimited mobile broadband, if they really want to rock the boat.

3. TV on a small screen
While we are talking about U Mobile, do get ready to do a lot of squinting in 2008 because mobile TV, and we mean the real deal here, will show up in Malaysia. U Mobile will bank on its Mobile TV service to draw subscribers but all eyes will be on Maxis and Astro as they too are poised to launch mobile TV services. With Astro’s content (think EPL and Heroes) and Maxis’ strength in subscriber numbers, they would be the ones to beat.

 

4. The word of the year, MVNO

Get used to the acronym MVNO as everyone seems to be rushing to become a Mobile Virtual Network Operator. Is there that much money to be made in renting capacity from Celcom (thus far) and creating a brand name. We’re not too sure but the like of Tony Fernandez seems to think so. So who are we to argue with him? One thing is for sure, there will be plenty of choices with four telcos and another four MVNOs vying to become your operator of choice. Hmm, has mobile number portability anything to do with the sudden interest in becoming a virtual operator?

5. WiMAX, yet another W-word
Fingers crossed, WiMAX will be launched this year. Not all four license holders unfortunately (or is that a good thing?) but at least one or two will. Don’t expect WiMAX hand phones anytime soon (definitely not in 2008) but at least there will be notebooks and WiMAX cards to keep those speed hungry mobile surfers happy.

6. Don’t forget WiFi!
It’s old technology (and it also starts with ‘W’!) but how does the idea of a free giant hotspot all over KL sound? Good? Green Packet has a contract to put up 1,500 hotspots by May in KL and almost full coverage by 2010. Coupled with dual mode phones that have both WiFi and 3G technologies, mobile wireless broadband should replace ‘lepaking’ as the favourite activity among the KL youth.

7. The first Digital SLR-phone?
Okay, that’s stretching things a bit too far, but expect even more powerful cameraphones to appear in 2008. We’re feeling sorry for the poor digital camera makers because cameraphones are just going to get better and better. Don’t forget music phones too. The vast majority of camera phones that will appear in 2008 will also have killer music features. Now if only someone will work on their blooming batteries…

8. Lots of touching and feeling
2008 might also be the year of touchscreen phones. Every brand will bring out at least one touch screen phone this year. Some will be worth touching while others will only serve to infuriate consumers with their unresponsive touch screens . This is one trend we hope will end soon. Or at least make sure, we non-touchscreen lovers have other input options on the same device.

9. iPhone mania comes to Malaysia
Okay, no one is probably going to line up at midnight to be the first to own an iPhone (or would they?) but all those waiting anxiously in Malaysia (including some in this office) should be able to get their iPhones in 2008. Rumours are that the blue people are negotiating the iPhone deal.

10. The Androids crush everything else
The Google conceived Android phones might just beat the hell out of the iPhones and the Symbians and the Windows Mobile phones when they arrive too this year. HTC is widely rumoured to be in the lead in bringing out an Android phone and since they have a strong presence here, Malaysians should be among the first to experience a truly open mobile OS smartphone. (unlike those Apple folks who ignored the rest of the world).