Posts Tagged ‘Environment’
Enterprise mobility: 80 per cent of enterprises will overspend on wireless services over the coming half decade
July 24th, 2009 | 
Author: “Our research shows that the majority of companies are not adequately managing their mobile users or services,” said Phil Redman, research vice president at Gartner. “They need to look more closely at their key user segments and requirements in order to match those needs with the right services and optimize their spending.”
Mr. Redman said that during the next year, companies should look to four main areas to manage their wireless costs:
Contracts
How enterprises buy services has changed in the past few years and more than 60 percent of midsize and large companies have moved away from buying individual plans, which are the least efficient in reducing costs. However, newer services, such as pooling plans, flat-rate plans, and zero–minute phones all need to be carefully evaluated to ensure that they are offering maximum value across the organization. Gartner also advises companies to move from individual liability plans (where the user is responsible for the payment and contract) to corporate liability plans that allow for better control of costs through the optimization of wireless services and corporate discounting.
International Roaming
International roaming costs become increasingly difficult to manage as companies extend international travel. Through 2010, 10 percent of users that travel internationally will make up 35 percent of the total service costs for companies that support travel. Although there are no “magic” solutions for reducing costs beyond reducing the number of users who travel, reducing the minutes used and making users aware of the costs, companies can negotiate with the carrier for roaming cost reductions and look to adopt mobile roaming plans. International data roaming can be even more costly with some bills reaching thousands of dollars in a short period. Gartner recommends that companies disallow all ad hoc use of international wireless data and instead promote the use of smartphones for e-mail or ask carriers for bundles for remote workers.
Mobility Management
Active management practices are important to organize services and control expenses. According to Gartner, the two main areas to focus on in management are policy — used to eliminate undesirable practices and promote a set or desirable practices and compliance across the organization — and the use of outsourced services, called telecom expense management (TEM), which provides extensive mobility management services to enterprises.
Desktop Replacement
Some companies are already beginning to integrate their cellular phones into their corporate system, which can support cost routing for reduced service calls or the elimination of desk phones. Both are part of fixed mobile convergence (FMC) plans, FMC being the intersection of where fixed and mobile unified communications (UC) meet and share services and functionality. In this scenario, instead of literally being “chained” to their desk, users will have the freedom of conducting business in a mobile environment but maintain enterprise functionality in the wireless device.
Gartner Says 80 Percent of Enterprises Will Overspend on Their Wireless Service Costs Through 2014 – Gartner Outlines Four Areas of Focus to Better Manage Enterprise Wireless Costs
see also Gartner report “Best Practices for Managing Mobile Voice and Data Costs” (Costs $495)
Posted in Communications | 
Tags: amp, blog, blogs, business, car, Communications, Compliance, Environment, Free, functionality, Management, Mobile, mobile users, mobile voice, research, smartphone, system, t mobile, Wireless | 
Comments Closed
East Africa: SEACOM landed a 1.28Tbps cable linking South Africa, Kenya and Uganda to India and Europe
The launch of SEACOM opens up unprecedented opportunities, at a fraction of the current cost, as government, business leaders and citizens can now use the network as the platform to compete globally, drive economic growth and enhance the quality of life across the continent.
Highlights/ Key Facts:
The unprecedented capacity, quality of bandwidth and connectivity brought to Africa by the SEACOM network will be demonstrated today at simultaneous events in South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Mozambique.
SEACOM, in conjunction with Cisco Systems, will provide media and invitees direct access to true broadband connectivity, carry out live broadcasts and interactive real-time presentations across the system.
The demonstration has been made possible by the collaboration of SEACOM and Cisco Systems who have jointly built a voice, data and video platform, relying on the SEACOM network, to create a collaborative environment.
This first-hand experience of the high-speed capabilities will take place through a one-gigabit-per-second live international connection at all locations as well as a live high-definition video feed over an Internet Protocol (IP) network to interconnect representatives and dignitaries across the five countries.
Supporting Quotes:
Brian Herlihy, SEACOM CEO:
“Today is a historic day for Africa and marks the dawn of a new era for communications between the continent and the rest of the world. Our tireless efforts of the past 24 months have come to fruition, and we are proud to be the first to provide affordable, high quality broadband capacity and experience to east African economies. Turning the switch ‘on’ creates a huge anticipation but ultimately, SEACOM will be judged on the changes that take place on the continent over the coming years.”
Yvon le Roux, Cisco VP for Africa:
“Cisco and SEACOM share a common goal to enable accessible broadband across Africa while lowering the cost of communication to spur growth within urban and rural communities. We’re working with SEACOM to help transform Africa by outlining process change, building networks, and then providing the application services and expertise that support key services for citizens, such as education, healthcare, public safety, economic development, and national security. SEACOM will provide the catalyst for African consumers, business and government to realise the benefits of connectivity and collaboration across the globe.”
Mr. Nizar Juma, SEACOM Chairman:
“Today is a momentous day for all associated with SEACOM. Milestones such as this one are unique to any company and even more so to any country or region. It also clearly demonstrates that provided with an enabling environment, the private sector can efficiently mobilise the resources required to deliver complex and expansive projects for the benefit of our people. The SEACOM cable will change the lives of every man, woman and child in the countries connected by making previously unavailable technology accessible to everyone. We truly look forward to the positive utilisation of the cable and the realisation of infinite social and economic possibilities unleashed by our arrival”.
Posted in Communications |
Tags: amp, application, ash, blog, blogs, business, car, Communications, connectivity, consumers, direct access, Environment, ford, Health, Internet, live broadcast, Network, system, Technology, video feed, world |
Comments Closed
Australia: AIIA has welcomed the Govt. road map for the development of its digital economy
“The Australian Information Industry Association applauds the focus and intentions of the paper, which is very timely,” said AIIA CEO Ian Birks. “This paper, which has been developed in close consultation with the ICT industry, shows that we are headed in the right direction. It has outlined the foundations that are being laid for the success of Australia’s digital future.”
Some of the key attributes in the paper that the AIIA supports are:
The acknowledgement that the National Broadband Network will support and drive the development of vital elements of a future digital economy. This includes value added services and a content-rich environment that drives new consumer behaviours, enhanced community connections, competitive business models and open, consultative government.
Identifying the government, community and industry as primary stakeholders who will need to work closely together to create a successful digital economy. The AIIA believes the ICT industry itself needs to be engaged as a critical stakeholder to drive a deeper understanding of the possibilities offered by the digital economy within government, industry and the wider community.
Developing a common understanding of what success will look like as Australia plans for the development of a digital economy.
Birks added, “The digital economy has the potential to transform Australia’s economy. The ICT sector is ready and willing to work with the Government in whatever ways it can to deliver this transformation by creating the awareness, understanding and ultimately, the adoption of the right technologies and processes.”
“For the next steps, the AIIA will work closely with the government to develop related policy measures, clear goals and metrics that are attached to the outcomes in the Future Directions paper.”
The Australian Information Industry Association responds to Australia’s Digital Economy: Future Directions
see also Australia’s Digital Economy: Future Directions
Posted in Communications |
Tags: blog, blogs, business, business model, business models, Communications, Environment, information, Network, ngage, rim |
Comments Closed
Australia: Communications Alliance has launched a series of Industry Connection Forums
The Program was launched at the second series of NBN Industry Connection Forums held in Sydney on 8 July and in Melbourne today, 15 July.
Communications Alliance’s NBN works program covers seven key areas which were identified during the first series of Forums in May: the NBN Reference Model; wholesale services; early stage deployments; end user premises; technical; operational; and end user migration. The first meeting of the NBN Reference Model project team was held following the Melbourne Forum today.
The Forums also provided an opportunity for Communications Alliance to canvass industry views on the optimal regulatory regime for the NBN in response to the Government’s request for submissions on the legislative framework for NBN Co.
Commenting on the opportunity for industry to contribute to the operational and regulatory framework of the NBN, Communications Alliance CEO Anne Hurley said:
“The industry recognises this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to help shape an entirely new communications network and essentially build a new market.
“Whilst there are many questions yet to be answered, the industry has made the decision to take a proactive approach to the NBN and will collaborate to develop industry views on how the NBN should operate, the services it should offer, and many of the technical details that will be critical to its successful operation.”
“A significant number of organisations have already committed time and resources to the NBN Works Program and we invite all organisations interested in participating to register on the Communications Alliance website. As project teams progress, we will seek input from stakeholders including government, regulators, end-user groups, and those developing new applications for the broadband environment,” Ms Hurley continued.
The industry has identified the NBN Reference Model, wholesales services and early stage deployments as priority areas and work on these projects is expected to be finalised before the end of 2009. Outcomes of the remaining work areas will be delivered by mid-2010.
Given the high-level of interest in contributing to the NBN works program, Communications Alliance has created an NBN Wiki to facilitate discussion among registered participants and expedite project team outcomes. The NBN Wiki was previewed at the NBN Industry Connection Forums this month.
Posted in Communications |
Tags: application, blog, blogs, Communications, Environment, Network |
Comments Closed
Uganda: MTN and Telecom have increased charges by 8-10% as a result of the recession
Hans Paulsen, Chief Commercial Officer at utl, said in a statement that the upward revision of their tariffs is “a response to the unfortunate economic circumstances in which the telecom industry finds itself operating in today. The economic pressures have impacted heavily on our operations and we have had no choice but to adjust to meet the changes in the market environment.”
Different international forecasts had been predicting an ease in the current global recession.
There had also been prediction that the entry of Orange Telecom early this year, which brought the number of mobile phone companies to five, would increase competition in the market thereby keeping call tariffs down. But it appears it takes more than having many players in the market to have cheaper calling fees.
MTN customers, who now have to pay more to talk, include those on Yello Go, MTN Zone, Yello Max, Pay As You Go, Yello Max, just to mention a few.
The increase in tariffs is also a swipe at the country’s tax regime, which has for long drawn complaints from the telecom companies. The companies have for long urged the government to reduce excise duty on airtime from the current 12%, arguing that this would enhance mobile phone penetration. But the government has resisted this proposal.
“Over the past few years, we saw movements in the telecom tariffs, but these were mainly downward movements. We have been holding down in anticipation that our lobbying with government would lead to a reduction in excise duty. While we appreciate no increase in the last budget, we are left with no choice but to increase the tariffs, because the current rates are no longer sustainable,” said Paulsen. Besides excise duty of 12%, there is Value Added Tax of18%. Analysts believe that this relatively high taxation has kept mobile phone tariffs in Uganda among the highest in sub-Sahara Africa.
Utl also attributes the increase in their tariffs to the high rate of inflation, which remains stuck in double digits. Headline inflation is currently estimated at about 13%. The company says that the rise in fuel and electricity costs are also partly to blame.
Posted in Communications |
Tags: airtime, blog, blogs, budget, developing world, Electric, electricity, Environment, Mobile, mobile phone, t mobile, world |
Comments Closed