Steve
Jobs announced today that Apple will be releasing an SDK to allow third
party applications for the iPhone. The SDK, which will also enable
developers to create applications for the iPod touch is scheduled for
release in February.
I expect we'll see some of the leading
Unified Communications vendors develop compelling and innovative
applications. The announcement will undoubtedly go a long way to
convince business users that the iPhone will be able to satisfy their
business requirements.
Rick McCharles
Telecom Consultant, Toronto
RIC Services
Results tagged “iphone” from IP Communications and Technology
According to an article published by the Financial Post this morning, Bell and Telus are about to announce that they will be jointly upgrading their cellular networks to 3G.
The Post states that multiple telecom industry sources have said that Bell Canada and Telus intend to share the cost to upgrade to the next-generation wireless network and that the announcement will be made next week. It is estimated that the cost of the upgrade will be approximately $1 Billion and that it will take one year to complete.
If true, the Nokia Siemens Networks' provided upgrade will allow both companies to compete with Rogers by offering popular mobile devices such as Apple's iPhone 3G and Research In Motion's Black-Berry Bold.
When combined with the recent spectrum auction and the entry of new wireless competitors such as Quebecor, Shaw, DAVE Wireless and Globalive, the 3G announcement will contribute to significant change in the Canadian Wireless marketplace over the next couple of years.
Great news for Canadian consumers in my view.
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The Post states that multiple telecom industry sources have said that Bell Canada and Telus intend to share the cost to upgrade to the next-generation wireless network and that the announcement will be made next week. It is estimated that the cost of the upgrade will be approximately $1 Billion and that it will take one year to complete.
If true, the Nokia Siemens Networks' provided upgrade will allow both companies to compete with Rogers by offering popular mobile devices such as Apple's iPhone 3G and Research In Motion's Black-Berry Bold.
When combined with the recent spectrum auction and the entry of new wireless competitors such as Quebecor, Shaw, DAVE Wireless and Globalive, the 3G announcement will contribute to significant change in the Canadian Wireless marketplace over the next couple of years.
Great news for Canadian consumers in my view.
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I came across a thoughtful article this morning by Art Rosenberg, The Unified-View. In a post named Rosenberg's "Third Law" To Impact UC, Art suggests that the most significant change in business communications is a shift towards Unified Communications over mobility, enabled by device and media independence. Art suggests that this change is being driven by innovative devices and the trend towards open systems.
UC and Mobility
I agree, and I have posted previously on how innovation and the move towards openness, exemplified by Apple's iPhone, Google's Android, Verizon's intention to open their network to non-Verizon devices, and new spectrum allocation, are key indicators of a trend towards a richer communications experience. Unified Communications technology is poised to exploit these changes and its effect will be significant to the mobility industry and to employee productivity.
Telecommunications Service Providers will have no alternative but to embrace the change and to develop innovative new business models and technology. It's not an easy transition for them to make. However, I'm convinced that defensive strategies designed to protect traditional high-margin revenue sources and legacy investments are doomed to failure.
Intelligent Presence Services and associated functional attributes such as, filtering, availability, accessibility, willingness, capabilities, directory services, federation and awareness, are all critical elements to maximizing the benefits of Unified Communications. Persistence and message acknowledgment are also necessary elements of a UC system to effectively address communications between business applications / processes and humans.
By leveraging capabilities enabled by, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) for example, a carrier could offer a Federated Presence and Directory service that would enhance enterprise UC applications. As an example, a service provider's Presence service could be leveraged to compliment a city's Crisis Management Plan.
Upon declaration of the crisis event, the service is invoked. Based on presence status and availability, the system locates and sends real-time notifications to City officials. Notification is expedited since notifications are only sent to officials based on known availability and capability status. If an official is not available on any device during the initial notification, the service continually monitors the person’s status and sends the notification the moment that the availability of the individual has been detected. The service persists until all officials have been notified and all critical notifications have been acknowledged and recorded.
Communications Enabled Business Processes (CEBP)
Art also discusses the UC aspects of integrating business applications and processes with human communications. This is an area of UC that Avaya began promoting heavily in 2007. We are in the very early stages of CEBP, but many are predicting that it is the area from which business will gain the most benefit from Unified Communications. As Art mentions, "business process analysis and consulting are key to using such technologies".
Understanding a company's business processes and identifying areas in the business flows that can benefit from the integration of UC applications is not trivial. For the past year, I have dedicated a large proportion of my time and effort in acquiring a better understanding of the value chain elements and business process flows and how UC should be integrated. As I have stated previously, the CEBP element of Unified Communications presents a tremendous challenge to industry vendors, consultants and analysts who have to date, been focused on the infrastructure elements of UC. Those who are not able to adapt will be relegated to the commoditized and low-margin plumbing aspects of UC.
Rick McCharles
Unified Communications Consultant
RIC ServicesStumble It!
UC and Mobility
I agree, and I have posted previously on how innovation and the move towards openness, exemplified by Apple's iPhone, Google's Android, Verizon's intention to open their network to non-Verizon devices, and new spectrum allocation, are key indicators of a trend towards a richer communications experience. Unified Communications technology is poised to exploit these changes and its effect will be significant to the mobility industry and to employee productivity.
Telecommunications Service Providers will have no alternative but to embrace the change and to develop innovative new business models and technology. It's not an easy transition for them to make. However, I'm convinced that defensive strategies designed to protect traditional high-margin revenue sources and legacy investments are doomed to failure.
Intelligent Presence Services and associated functional attributes such as, filtering, availability, accessibility, willingness, capabilities, directory services, federation and awareness, are all critical elements to maximizing the benefits of Unified Communications. Persistence and message acknowledgment are also necessary elements of a UC system to effectively address communications between business applications / processes and humans.
By leveraging capabilities enabled by, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) for example, a carrier could offer a Federated Presence and Directory service that would enhance enterprise UC applications. As an example, a service provider's Presence service could be leveraged to compliment a city's Crisis Management Plan.
Upon declaration of the crisis event, the service is invoked. Based on presence status and availability, the system locates and sends real-time notifications to City officials. Notification is expedited since notifications are only sent to officials based on known availability and capability status. If an official is not available on any device during the initial notification, the service continually monitors the person’s status and sends the notification the moment that the availability of the individual has been detected. The service persists until all officials have been notified and all critical notifications have been acknowledged and recorded.
Communications Enabled Business Processes (CEBP)
Art also discusses the UC aspects of integrating business applications and processes with human communications. This is an area of UC that Avaya began promoting heavily in 2007. We are in the very early stages of CEBP, but many are predicting that it is the area from which business will gain the most benefit from Unified Communications. As Art mentions, "business process analysis and consulting are key to using such technologies".
Understanding a company's business processes and identifying areas in the business flows that can benefit from the integration of UC applications is not trivial. For the past year, I have dedicated a large proportion of my time and effort in acquiring a better understanding of the value chain elements and business process flows and how UC should be integrated. As I have stated previously, the CEBP element of Unified Communications presents a tremendous challenge to industry vendors, consultants and analysts who have to date, been focused on the infrastructure elements of UC. Those who are not able to adapt will be relegated to the commoditized and low-margin plumbing aspects of UC.
Rick McCharles
Unified Communications Consultant
RIC Services
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By now, (well actually several months ago) most of us are sick of all the iPhone hype. And while I have no intention of getting an iPhone once it's introduced in Canada, I am convinced that's its influence will be of benefit to consumers.
Apple has raised the bar with respect to mobile phone design and has raised consumer expectations. As a result, we will benefit from the wave of innovation as manufacturer's compete for their share.
This week, many analysts have speculated on the recent downturn in Bell Canada, Rogers and Telus stocks. The declines have been attributed in part to a general market correction, the 2008 spectrum auction and increased competition.
I am of the opinion, that the iPhone, and its anticipated introduction in Canada by Rogers, is also a contributor to the recent valuation decline. The demand for the iPhone is likely to be robust and Bell and Telus will respond. Additionally, I expect that Rogers will be reducing their data rates since the current rates would likely inhibit iPhone sales.
Last week's announcement of the HTC Touch with a $7.00 flat-rate data plan by Bell Canada is likely just the beginning of a trend that will see lower data rates and more sophisticated mobile devices by all Canadian mobility providers.
Rick McCharles
Telecom Consultant, Toronto
RIC Services
Stumble It!
Apple has raised the bar with respect to mobile phone design and has raised consumer expectations. As a result, we will benefit from the wave of innovation as manufacturer's compete for their share.
This week, many analysts have speculated on the recent downturn in Bell Canada, Rogers and Telus stocks. The declines have been attributed in part to a general market correction, the 2008 spectrum auction and increased competition.
I am of the opinion, that the iPhone, and its anticipated introduction in Canada by Rogers, is also a contributor to the recent valuation decline. The demand for the iPhone is likely to be robust and Bell and Telus will respond. Additionally, I expect that Rogers will be reducing their data rates since the current rates would likely inhibit iPhone sales.
Last week's announcement of the HTC Touch with a $7.00 flat-rate data plan by Bell Canada is likely just the beginning of a trend that will see lower data rates and more sophisticated mobile devices by all Canadian mobility providers.
Rick McCharles
Telecom Consultant, Toronto
RIC Services
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