2012 Research Agenda: New Growth Opportunities in a Hyper-Connected World

Details of our planned research agenda for 2012 featuring: new growth opportunities; the strategies of adjacent players such as Google and how to deal with them; how to manage core services; customer experience; Cloud Services 2.0 Personal Data 2.0; Digital Commerce 2.0; Digital Entertainment 2.0 and M2M 2.0. (More)

Telco 2.0 event dates for H1 2012

We have a packed events agenda in 2012. For example, we are running multiple events at the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona (details to follow), then hold our big New Digital Economics event in the Silicon Valley, 27-28 March 2012, and then the EMEA Brainstorm, 12-13 June 2012, London. We'll also be running smaller workshops (public and private) in the Middle East and APAC. Email us at contact@stlpartners.com or call +44 (0) 20 7247 5003.

The predicted decline in voice and messaging (by Telco 2.0 community members) is remarkably similar in EMEA and APAC, and in keeping with our findings in the ‘Dealing with the Disruptors’ report. However, as can be seen above, delegates from our APAC brainstorm feared more for mobile voice revenues than their EMEA counterparts, who were more concerned about messaging revenues. This is in part because a higher proportion of APAC voice revenues are pre-paid and not in-bundle, and the lower smartphone penetrations in the more prevalent emerging markets in APAC compared to EMEA (more on the brainstorms here).

This leads us on to two developments for 2012:  we’ll be looking in-depth again at strategies for optimising voice and messaging in 2012 (more here); and members of the Telco 2.0 subscription service can now access slides, charts and reports from the two most recent brainstorms here.

Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, Skype - dealing with the disruptors

Our new 284 page strategy report, launched and previewed at our EMEA event in London, has attracted massive interest. It's our most important report yet, dealing with the players that some leading telcos are now calling their 'real competitors'. It includes a concise executive summary, in-depth analysis of the player's business models, and strategies for dealing with each. Here is an updated extract of the analysis and further details of the report. (More)

Your Text is on Fire: OTT's to burn 40% SMS revenue by 2015

In four years' time, Telco SMS revenue will decline on average by around 40% across Europe and the Middle East according to the senior execs at this month's Telco 2.0 brainstorm in London. The main cause is competitive pressure from 'OTT' alternatives (Facebook, Skype, Google, BBM, etc). Mobile voice isn't that far behind, with a 20% decline foreseen. What can be done and what is the role of RCS-e? (More)

The Roadmap to New Telco 2.0 Business Models

This Strategy Report plots the transformational path that telcos need to follow to achieve the $375Bn p.a. 'Telco 2.0' opportunities. It describes the six growth opportunity areas for the Telecoms industry, identifies new categories of operators, benchmarks the primary strategies needed by each to evolve and thrive in the new industry environment, and highlights leading examples of telco business model innovation. It has 284 pages, including a 13 page Executive Summary and a detailed index. (More)

Strategy 2.0: The Six Key Telco 2.0 Opportunities

A summary of the six Telco 2.0 opportunities to transform telco's business models for success in an IP-based, post PSTN world: Core Services, Vertical Solutions, Infrastructure Services, Embedded Communications, 3rd Party Enablers, and Own Brand OTT Services. It includes an extract from the Roadmap to New Telco 2.0 Business Models, updates on latest developments, and feedback from over 500 senior TMT industry execs. (more)

Public Wifi: Destroying LTE/Mobile Value?

By building or acquiring Public WiFi networks for tens of $Ms, highly innovative fixed players in the UK are stealthily removing $Bns of value from 3G and 4G mobile spectrum as smartphone and other data devices become increasingly carrier agnostic. What are the lessons globally? (More)

Mobile CDNs and video distribution

Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) are becoming familiar in the fixed broadband world as a means to improve the experience and costs of delivering bulky data like online video to end-users. Is there now a compelling need for their mobile equivalents, and if so, should operators partner with existing players or build / buy their own? (more)

Cloud 2.0: don't blow it, telcos

Enterprise cloud computing services need great connectivity to work, but there are opportunities for telcos to participate beyond the connectivity. What are the opportunities, how are telcos approaching them, and what are the key strategies? (More)

Cloud 2.0: Telcos to grow Revenues 900% by 2014

Telcos should grow Cloud Services revenues nine-fold and triple their overall market share in the next three years according to delegates at the May 2011 EMEA Executive Brainstorm. But which are the best opportunities and strategies? (more)

M-Commerce 2.0: Report and analysis of the EMEA event in November 2011

A summary of the findings of the M-Commerce 2.0 Executive Brainstorm, 10th November , held in the Guoman Hotel, London. Part of an international research and events programme, run with the support of the World Economic Forum, the Brainstorm explored the principles of personal data in the context of 'M-Commerce 2.0' - creating mechanisms that put the user in control of their data, helping the individual to generate value from that data, reducing friction and transaction costs in day-to-day 'B2B2C' commercial processes. (More)

Customer Data 2.0: Telcos Must Vie for a slice of the $Multi-Billion 'PIE'

Facebook, Google and others are pioneering the creation of the Personal Information Economy (PIE) based on consumer/user data. This Telco 2.0 analysis outlines emerging participants' roles, and why, where and how telcos could and should play. (more)

M2M 2.0: the Money's in 'Enablers'

Our latest report on M2M 2.0 covers: M2M market growth, structure and dynamics; business models; the best role(s) for telcos; and leading thinking from Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, Telenor, KPN and Swisscom. It describes how 'Service Enablers' are key to the telco opportunity in M2M in addition to connectivity. (more)

M2M 2.0: New Approaches Needed

The M2M market structure is evolving rapidly and new roles and requirements are emerging that are unaligned with much current telco practice. What must telcos do to avoid missing out and potentially inhibiting the market overall? (more)

Digital Entertainment 2.0: Telcos risk missing the UltraViolet online video opportunity

2011 heralded the introduction of the UltraViolet digital locker platform by DECE, a consortium led by 6 of the 7 top Hollywood studios and backed by 50 cross-industry heavyweights, to support the transition of film and TV to online distribution. What opportunities will telcos miss if they fail to engage? (more)

Connected TV: Forecast and Winners

Our in-depth look at one of Europe's most competitive digital TV markets which reflects many global trends, such as competition between different types of content distributor (loveFilm, YouTube, Virgin Media, BBC, BSkyB, BT, etc.), channel proliferation, new devices used for viewing, and the increasing prevalence of connected TVs. What are the key trends and who will be the winners and losers? (More)

Telco 2.0 News Review: Smart TV@CES, Netflix, Samsung's Q4 No.s and Apple's odd forecasts

• Technology Disruptions: CES - another push for smart TV, more DISH/VZW rumours
  
• Online Video: UK Netflix is go for launch, pricing above Lovefilm's
  
• Smartphone Roundup: Apple loves Flash storage, Samsung Q4 - impressive or just soft numbers?
  
• Strategy & Finance: Vodafone announces a new partnership strategy, Free.fr mobile launch
  
• Voice & Messaging 2.0: Cisco quietly exits consumer telepresence

More on these stories and other news here.