Textopoly Mobile Blog » Carrier

Kickin Facts…

Asif — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:26:17 +0000

You want exposure? You want people to know about your brand, your product, or your service; well the answer is in your pocket!

Mobile usage across the globe is growing faster and stronger than a 13 year old girl can say Justin Bieber! First, let me hit you with some facts:

- According to the International Telecommunications Union, mobile subscribers will surpass 5 billion in 2010, which is over 70% of the global population! The world population in April was 6.8 billion! The ITU says growth is being driven by advanced services and handsets in developed countries and increased take-up of mobile health services and mobile banking in the developing world.

- Gartner (March 2010) predicts that by 2011, over 85% of new handsets will be able to access the Mobile Web!

- LeBron was never the king, SMS ruled all! According to Portfolio Research (Feb. 2010)

SMS is used by 4 billion consumers worldwide
In 2009 worldwide SMS traffic topped five trillion messages, and that figure is set to exceed 10 trillion in 2013.
MMS, mobile email and mobile IM are all growing strongly. The driver for MMS is the number of camera phones, for mobile email is the business market and while IM is popular with the youth market.
The global mobile messaging business is worth over US$150 billion, and will hit US$233 billion by 2014.

If your brand isn’t capable of reaching more than 2 million people, you’re not using mobile! And if you’re not using mobile, you are definitely not at full potential! Check the facts, call us up, let’s have some lunch, and then drop it like it’s hot.

Want to be at full potential? Email me at: asif[at]textopoly[dot]com. – P.S. – I don’t think Miami is going to win the championship this year.

Google Smoogle…

Asif — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 05:53:49 +0000

This is going to be a ‘rant’ filled blog about how much I hate Google Maps. So, if you like Google Maps, sorry, bottom line it’s unreliable, and for god sake, blue dot? Come ON!

So, here is my tale… my co-work Karla and I are driving down Bristol in Costa Mesa because we were trying to get to Jo-Anna’s Fabric (don’t ask), and since I had no idea where one was, I opened up my Google Maps, clicked on search, and typed in Jo-Anna’s Fabric; within an instant I was given 10 optional locations. So, I picked the first one as it was the nearest to us. The directions clearly stated, head North on Bristol, turn Right on Warner, turn Left on Fairview, etc… well, we went North on Bristol, then turned Right on Warner, but were unable to turn Left on Fairview, want to know why…? Because it wasn’t there! I was supposed to turn LEFT on Warner not RIGHT! But, according to the blue dot, and the route summery, I was headed in the right direction! Then, all of a sudden I run into a dead end! *$&#*

I’ve always said, I hate Google Maps, it’s never right! I love Sprint Navigation. Truly if you are ever deciding what carrier to jump on, I would suggest Sprint. I’ve had their service for over 6 months now and I’ve had zero dropped calls, great customer service, very fast mobile browsing, an amazing Sprint Navigation System, and great television on Sprint TV! I’ve had AT&T, horrible reception, never got anyone nice on the phone, very slow 3G speed even when I had the iPhone 3GS, and way too pricey!

Getting back to Google Maps, what is the deal? Why can they not generate proper directions? I love the search functionality; however the map is so bogus! Are they not using an updated map? Sometimes they can’t even find addresses! What is up with that!? Don’t believe me? Try typing in 188 Cooper Creek, Dallas, GA doesn’t even show up! I know that house is there!

Google, please listen, the reason why Apple is so successful and hardly has any issues with any of their devices and/or products in general, is because they do one thing at a time. This allows them to perfect the product and or service allowing no room for competition. They have the perfect phone, they have the perfect music player, they have the perfect impractical (my opinion) device in the iPad, they have the best Apps (Android market is subpar), and on top of that, people always feel cooler and above the ‘rest’ when they own an Apple product! I really hope that Apple makes its own mapping system.

-Want to chat some more? Get at me at: asif[at]textopoly[dot]com-

Surprising News from Apple – VoIP Calls over 3G?!?

Naushad — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:03:30 +0000

Interesting news from AppleInsider:

Apple now allowing iPhone apps to make VoIP calls over 3G networks

In an update to its iPhone SDK, Apple is now permitting apps to make VoIP calls over 3G wireless networks, an option that was once only available over a WiFi connection.

According to a press release issued Wednesday by iCall, Apple has revised its SDK to allow VoIP calls over cellular networks. This is a major change from Apple’s previous agreement with AT&T which only allowed VoIP communications over a WiFi connection.

Back in October, AT&T announced that it would open up its 3G network to VoIP applications on the iPhone, and it appears that Apple is just now taking action.

It’s about time Apple! Thank you for opening up the SDK. After years of rejecting VoIP apps for the iPhone, you finally get it through your thick stull to stop hindering progress and let the marketplace figure it out.

How does this affect AT&T though? In our opinion, not much. They might lose some money on people reducing their plans, but all in all, as more people get better phones we’ll all be spending more money on data and texting plans and less on minutes. Hopefully one day we can have city wide Wi-Fi coverage. Then we’ll have the city of the future which we were all promised as little children. By the way, where is my flying car at anyways!

AppleInsider – http://leep.it/d0

HTC Hero – It’ll Save You!

Asif — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 19:23:16 +0000

In response to Shehzad’s “HTC…No One’s Hero”

Ohhhh little brother… You have so much more to live and learn. Kudos on the attempt though!

We can at least agree on the fact that AT&T’s network is anemic at best. However, when comparing the HTC Hero and Apple iPhone, both of which I have also owned and operated, I still feel as though the HTC, for my purposes is far greater than the iPhone.

Let me address a few of your ‘points…’

1) Size Always Matters

You are definitely correct, the HTC Hero is 10% smaller than the Apple iPhone; I don’t have a huge bulge in my hip pocket when I have the HTC Hero. However, this does not necessarily mean that it is less functional when using the virtual keyboard. I can type text messages and directions just as fast, and when the HTC Hero predicts the word you are trying to type it’s at least close if not exactly what you want to type!

2) HTC Hero = Non- Sense mobile phone

I’ll give you this one. Yes, I agree they should have made a sensor to when you put the phone to your ear it would lock the screen.

2a) HTC Hero = Social Media Guru

One of the other things that the HTC Hero does a lot better than the iPhone, is keep me connected with all my friends and family! Its’ simple integration with my Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter account, keeps me updated on all the ‘status changes’ and organizes my messages from my friends, and overall lets me stay in touch with everyone no matter where I am! I don’t even need the Facebook mobile application! With the iPhone, I have click on the stupid Facebook application, click on ‘home’ to view status updates, click on ‘profile’ to view my profile, why couldn’t they make it all integrated?!

3) Alphabetically? Really?

The menu button in the HTC Hero is really just a buy-product. They didn’t care about it because you can customize your home screen or any of the remaining 6 screens to have whatever you want on them! For example, on my home screen I have the most common items I use: contacts, Pandora, messages, email, and browser. If I flick the screen to the left, it has all of my wireless amenities, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, etc. I customize my phone to fit me and therefore never use the menu button! Furthermore, even if it is in alphabetical order, who cares, it’s so much easier to find things! When I had my iPhone, things were all over the place, and never in order, unless I customized them.

In conclusion, the iPhone is a good phone, its easy to use and meant for every Tom, Dick, and Harry, however, when you really want a phone to do a man’s job, get the HTC Hero, it’s a Hero and a Hero always wins!

PS: Let’s not forget, this is HTC’s first attempt against the iPhone, which is in its 3^rd generation. As soon as HTC gets a bit more comfortable, I have no doubt they will out do the iPhone in every category.

Want to chat about mobile over lunch!? My treat! Email me at: Asif[at]textopoly[dot]com

‘Oh Disney Where Art Thou?’

Asif — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 03:20:54 +0000

I starting writing this blog while listening to a webinar about mobile; one of the panelists was explaining how brands and agencies will pay more attention to mobile if they can understand its full potential ‘reach.’ We’ve heard many times before that most agencies and brands don’t fully understand the reach of mobile, or how to utilize it. Now, I’m not going go into detail about statistics of mobile nor try and to pitch mobile, but I will tell you how Disney has used mobile and how their reach is global.

Disney currently covers almost every available mobile content delivery method available: Disney mobile WAP sites, streaming mobile video, mobile games, ring tones, wallpapers, SMS updates and news, mobile Disney radio app., SMS campaigns and more! Disney entered the mobile space in 1999 and since then is the number 1 mobile entertainment media; with a mobile presence in over 40 countries and deals through 80 carriers and over 6,000 products across 20 product categories all via mobile. This seamless integration of their brand into mobile allows them to reach its consumers clear across the world, including impoverished countries in Africa and central Asia on a ubiquitous device. The more people you touch using the most intimate method of communication, the more loyalty, and brand recognition you create.

As 2010 approaches, and you’re looking back on 2009 think about this: Can your brand reach someone in Africa…? Or better yet, are you reaching 90% of the U.S. in their pockets? – Spend some time with us, we’ll show you how. Oh, to help further education on mobile and get a free lunch visit this: http://bit.ly/7AZKZM

Want to talk more about mobile and its potential reach!? Email me at: Asif[at]Textopoly[dot]com

HTC, My Hero

Asif — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:22:59 +0000

About 7 months ago I made the jump from my Blackberry to the brand new Apple iPhone 3GS; and about 6 months and 2 weeks ago I jumped to the Sprint HTC Hero, and I couldn’t be happier. Now, before you jump to comment on how much the iPhone is better and that I have no idea what I’m talking about, blah blah blah, just hear me out…ready? Are you calm?

So, for my needs, I wanted 3 basic functionalities from my mobile device; 1) make a phone call without interrupted service, or dropped calls, 2) allow me to retrieve my email, make phone calls and let me send text messages for at least 3 hours without the phone dying, and 3) let me upload my music/movies/pictures from different sources without restriction to just one particular machine! During my first week of iPhone 3GS integration, I could not make a phone call without a dropped call, I had a flat tire at 9am and used the phone to send emails, and conduct office work while I waited for the tow truck, and by 11:30am I had less than 20% battery life! To make matters more complicated, I couldn’t transfer music or movies from my brother’s Apple before my flight, and was annoyed by the lady next to me for 3 hours!

I know that the iPhone is very sexy, and they have millions of apps, but really I don’t need that many apps. Just give me Bank of America mobile, ESPN mobile, Facebook, and Sprint Navigation or Google Maps, and I’m all good. All I need is a phone that can take care of the essential parts of my life when I’m away from the office or home. Now, you’re probably wondering why I moved my entire carrier too… well, AT&T’s customer service was the reason why I moved. I won’t get into much detail because then this blog would be more like a novel, but call me, we’ll do lunch and I’ll tell you what happened.

One last thing, I do own a Mac, I would never purchase anything else when it comes to computers and music devices, however, when it comes to mobile, until Apple can get on a carrier that can let me make phone calls, and until they make a phone that can last through an episode of I Love Lucy, I’m sticking to my HTC Hero because it really did save me.

AT&T non-compliant?!

Naushad — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:05:27 +0000

Ok, here’s a quickie. I was on hold with AT&T customer service earlier today. While on hold AT&T plays ads highlighting new features and services to upsale. I usually zone out when this is happening but there was an ad that caught my attention, it was an ad for Napster mobile for which AT&T has a downloadable app. I thought this was a cool app so was paying attention. The call to action to get the app was to either go to Media Mall (AT&Ts content portal which comes on most all AT&T phones) or to text a keyword to a short code. At the end of the ad it stated ’standard messaging rates apply’! Now to many of you this may not seem like a big deal, but to us in the mobile game who have been through the ringer with all carriers for constantly changing compliancy matters, recieve audits each week for the most mundane of issues (e.g. font size for terms is 8 and should be 9), and at times are threatened with termination of connectivity and fines that can be as high as $30k per specific incident this incorrect statement on a Carrier ad is just funny! The correct verbiage is ‘Message and Data rates may apply’! I wonder if AT&T will send itself an audit to correct this non compliant call to action! Can I send them an audit?!

Verizon Finally Nails Down a Andriod

Naushad — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:07:35 +0000

The L.A. Times just published this article about how Verizon and Google are finally joining up to provide a decent smart phone for their network. It’s about time Verizon. You’ve really been lacking on the Smart Phone front…check out the full story here.

The Now Network is Now Specific

Karla — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:23:33 +0000

Sprint launched its new Compliancy Program in early July. Since then companies and agencies are scrambling through the Power Point and asking themselves if the Now Network is now too specific.

Sprint’s new attention to minor details and demands might be a bit too excessive for some. For example, the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) regulation for an opt out message is phrased as “text STOP 2 stop”. For Sprint users, however, the Carrier requires different language! This causes a small programming hiccup in that brands will need to setup the message flow for Sprint differently and since Sprint’s required language is longer than the MMA, Sprint users will be delivered less content from the brand. The larger issue with some of these new policies by Sprint is that the inconsistency of rules make our industry appear defragmented, conclusively making entering the mobile marketing world increasingly difficult and off putting.

In fact, specifications from the Now Network sometimes override the Consumer Best Practices (CPB) guidelines, a globally followed regulatory document created by the MMA. For example, the CBP guidelines state that renewal dates need not be mentioned (page 19), in the text to the user, Sprint demands its display (page 87).

Failure to follow these Now Network rules may lead to violations in Sprint’s Severity Violation System. This is a system where violations are rated 1 to 3, with 1 being major and 3 being minor. Violations lead to other unflattering procedures such as audits, which recently, Sprint has been dishing out quite generously. Some repeated violations may lead to termination of the short code.

All this leads me to ponder, if the majority of brands are already abiding by CBP guidelines, which are drafted by Aggregators, major Content Providers AND Carriers, will brands choose not to support Sprint as a participating carrier from their campaigns? I don’t think this will be case, but if individual Carriers begin drafting rules that conflict with what the Best Practices Guidelines say, then what is the value of that document? More importantly, when will the U.S. mobile market have consistency of services, programs, rules and regulations so that developers and spirited innovators can further push this exciting industry?

Although the Now Network may intend to create a more happy mobile world with its compliancy program, they must admit that their policies somewhat differ from the CPB and can potentially lead to some confusion and misdirection.

New CSCA Application Process

Kang — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:01:13 +0000

If you were interested in getting yourself a commercial shortcode, there is only one way you could get one. You would have to apply and register with the Common Short Code Authority (CSCA, www.usshortcodes.com). It’s interesting that there are numerous aggregators, a variety of wireless carriers, but only one place to get a commercial short code! The CSCA (Common Short Code Administration) has the shortcode gig locked down much like how the DMV is the gatekeeper to our license to drive. The big difference is that they’re not a government agency, but still are immune to any kind of competition. (What a great business to be in!)

Recently, the CSCA has changed their application process for PSMS and standard rate shortcodes. Not only are you paying the leasing fees, but now you must complete a very thorough application process. There was a time in the not so distant past where applying for a shortcode was a simple process and the application requested information on how the shortcode was being used, who was leasing it, and how it was advertised. There were other tidbits of information requested, but they were all relevant to leasing the shortcode. You would then go on to pay your fees and begin the long haul of work with an aggregator to get your shortcode certified with the Carriers.

Now the CSCA application process has become its own beast. The CSCA is requesting all sorts of information about the proposed campaign that really should be managed on a Service Provider or Carrier level. They even go as far as requesting what keywords are being used on the shortcode! How is a brand to know what keywords it will be using when trying to obtain the lease of the shortcode while still being months away from having the code certified and then an actual campaign launched! Could this possibly be the CSCA’s attempt to maintain their domination of the shortcode skies?