Last year, Americans saved more than $3.7 billion using coupons, and coupon usage continues to grow. The increase isn't just related to the economy; it's also because emerging technologies make coupons easier to use and more readily accessible than ever before.
While many consumers still clip coupons from the newspaper, research by Coupons.com shows that shoppers prefer digital couponing by a margin of six to one. Companies issued more than 1.2 billion digital coupons in 2010 -- a 41 percent increase from the year before, according to Coupons.com.
But click-to-print coupons and mobile phone coupons already are old news. Soon, shoppers will be acquiring and using coupons in all sorts of new ways. Here are a few coupon trends to watch.
Near field technology. Industry experts say the future of coupons lies with near field communication technology, also known as NFC. This technology allows manufacturers and retailers to distribute coupons digitally based on your current location. "Say you've checked in at Lollapalooza, for instance, you could opt-in to receive coupons or notices from vendors at the festival," says Brad Wasz, co-founder of CouponTrade.com. "The classic example is that of two friends near a coffee shop. The coffee shop could, in theory, alert the friends of their presence, and invite them to enjoy a two-for-one coupon."
While only one phone on the market (the Nexus 5) supports near field technology, Google's Wallet technology is making it more widely available. "Google has created a sticker with the NFC chip embedded into it that you can stick on your phone, allowing users to swipe their phone at NFC-enabled terminals to pay for their purchases," Wasz says. "Yes, a sticker, like you used to put on your folders in fourth grade." (Learn more about the Google Wallet sticker for Android phones here.)
Text messaging. Also known as SMS, text messaging also is taking coupons into the future. "Manufacturers and retailers can send an SMS on a coupon for their product," says George Bousis, co-founder of CouponTrade.com. "The consumer can then share this coupon with hundreds with a simple touch of a button. SMS message coupons and marketing can be a quick and easy way to reach customers. Several companies and news outlets are already using SMS messaging to create special offers to their customers, and invite communities to special events, such as movies, concerts, or sales."
A study by Juniper Research predicts that use of mobile based coupons will rise 30 percent within the next two years.
Signing up. To get SMS messaging from manufacturers and retailers you like, look for short codes on their ads, websites or at storefront locations. These codes typically look like a phone number with only five or six characters, which are typically used for sending SMS messages, Bousis says. "You can also reach out to your favorite brand and ask to be signed up to their SMS contact list."
Source: http://www.secondact.com/2011/10/coupons-of-the-future/ by Nancy Mann Jackson on 20th October 2011.
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Friday, 21 October 2011
Motivational text messages help smokers quit, finds study
Motivational text messages sent to smokers' mobile phones can double their chances of giving up tobacco, a study has found.
The "txt2stop" trial tested the effects of inspirational text messages designed to encourage quitting on almost 3,000 smokers. Participants were twice as likely to banish their habit as another group sent texts unrelated to smoking.
The text messages, designed by experts with the help of smokers, provided encouragement up to "quit day", advice on keeping off weight while quitting, and help with craving. One example read: "This is it! - QUIT DAY, throw away all your fags. TODAY is the start of being QUIT forever, you can do it!"
Another, focusing on craving, read: "Cravings last less than five minutes on average. To help distract yourself, try sipping a drink slowly until the craving is over."
The randomly selected smokers in the programme received five text messages a day for five weeks, followed by three per week for the next six months. People were able to receive instant messages at times of need by texting the word "crave" or "lapse".
A similar sized "control" group of smokers were sent texts simply thanking them for their participation, requesting confirmation of contact details, or mentioning a range of topics not connected to smoking.
Saliva tests for a tobacco break-down chemical called cotinine were used to verify that smokers really had quit. They confirmed how many had managed to stop smoking for six months. The results, published in The Lancet medical journal, showed a 10.7% success rate for those receiving the motivational texts compared with 4.9% for members of the control group.
Dr Caroline Free, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who led the Medical Research Council-funded trial, said: "Text messages are a very convenient way for smokers to receive support to quit. People described txt2stop as being like having a 'friend' encouraging them or an 'angel on their shoulder'. It helped people resist the temptation to smoke."
Prof Max Parmar, director of the Medical Research Council clinical trials unit, said: "Smoking kills more than five million people each year, and two out of every three smokers have said at some point that they would like to give up. By carrying out a large scale trial like this to see whether text messages can help people truly free themselves of their addiction, this research has shown that texting could be a powerful tool to help people to walk away from cigarettes for good.
"The MRC has been tackling the problem of smoking for over half a century, and we're committed to funding research that has the potential to change so many people's lives."
Glyn McIntosh, from the smoking cessation group Quit, which helped develop the text messages and recruit volunteers for the study, says: "We are delighted with the results and hope that text motivation will now become a standard part of the quitting process."
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/healthcare-network/2011/jun/30/motivational-text-messages-help-smokers-quit?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 by John von Radowitz on 30th June 2011.
The "txt2stop" trial tested the effects of inspirational text messages designed to encourage quitting on almost 3,000 smokers. Participants were twice as likely to banish their habit as another group sent texts unrelated to smoking.
The text messages, designed by experts with the help of smokers, provided encouragement up to "quit day", advice on keeping off weight while quitting, and help with craving. One example read: "This is it! - QUIT DAY, throw away all your fags. TODAY is the start of being QUIT forever, you can do it!"
Another, focusing on craving, read: "Cravings last less than five minutes on average. To help distract yourself, try sipping a drink slowly until the craving is over."
The randomly selected smokers in the programme received five text messages a day for five weeks, followed by three per week for the next six months. People were able to receive instant messages at times of need by texting the word "crave" or "lapse".
A similar sized "control" group of smokers were sent texts simply thanking them for their participation, requesting confirmation of contact details, or mentioning a range of topics not connected to smoking.
Saliva tests for a tobacco break-down chemical called cotinine were used to verify that smokers really had quit. They confirmed how many had managed to stop smoking for six months. The results, published in The Lancet medical journal, showed a 10.7% success rate for those receiving the motivational texts compared with 4.9% for members of the control group.
Dr Caroline Free, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who led the Medical Research Council-funded trial, said: "Text messages are a very convenient way for smokers to receive support to quit. People described txt2stop as being like having a 'friend' encouraging them or an 'angel on their shoulder'. It helped people resist the temptation to smoke."
Prof Max Parmar, director of the Medical Research Council clinical trials unit, said: "Smoking kills more than five million people each year, and two out of every three smokers have said at some point that they would like to give up. By carrying out a large scale trial like this to see whether text messages can help people truly free themselves of their addiction, this research has shown that texting could be a powerful tool to help people to walk away from cigarettes for good.
"The MRC has been tackling the problem of smoking for over half a century, and we're committed to funding research that has the potential to change so many people's lives."
Glyn McIntosh, from the smoking cessation group Quit, which helped develop the text messages and recruit volunteers for the study, says: "We are delighted with the results and hope that text motivation will now become a standard part of the quitting process."
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/healthcare-network/2011/jun/30/motivational-text-messages-help-smokers-quit?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 by John von Radowitz on 30th June 2011.
UK - London trust uses SMS to cut missed appointments by a quarter
Chelsea and Westminster hospital foundation trust has reduced its did not attend (DNA) rate by 26% since the introduction of a SMS text message reminder system, with falls in almost all of its outpatient clinics.
The number of DNAs fell from 14% to 10.4% between April 2010 and now across the outpatient areas where the system was implemented. The trust says this is equivalent to 720 fewer missed appointments each month.
Significant decreases were seen in physiotherapy, where the DNA rate nearly halved from 12.4% to 6.8%, and pain, which went down from 19.0% to 12.1%.
However, the trust actually saw small rises in DNA rates in a few areas. The non attendance rate in the diabetes clinic went up from 13.2% to 13.6%, while the eyes unit saw the rate rise from 11.9% to 13.1%.
Therese Davis, chief nurse and director of patient experience and flow at the trust, said: "Most people now expect to be reminded about appointments they have in other areas of life, so there's no reason that their healthcare should be any different.
"Our HIV and sexual health services have been using a similar reminder service for several years, so we see this latest initiative as an extension to a service that we already offer our patients."
The system sends automatic text messages through the nationally provided NHSnet service to patients seven days before their outpatient appointment. The trust sends 25,000 reminders each month.
Patients receive an automated phone call if they do not have mobile phones. They can request to opt out of the service if they don't wish to receive a reminder.
The trust's findings come after international academic research on a range of studies found that reminding patients by either text message or phone can cut those failing to turn up for appointments by 34%.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/healthcare-network/2011/sep/29/chelsea-westminster-sms-missed-appointments-london by Ben Whitelaw on 29th September 2011.
The number of DNAs fell from 14% to 10.4% between April 2010 and now across the outpatient areas where the system was implemented. The trust says this is equivalent to 720 fewer missed appointments each month.
Significant decreases were seen in physiotherapy, where the DNA rate nearly halved from 12.4% to 6.8%, and pain, which went down from 19.0% to 12.1%.
However, the trust actually saw small rises in DNA rates in a few areas. The non attendance rate in the diabetes clinic went up from 13.2% to 13.6%, while the eyes unit saw the rate rise from 11.9% to 13.1%.
Therese Davis, chief nurse and director of patient experience and flow at the trust, said: "Most people now expect to be reminded about appointments they have in other areas of life, so there's no reason that their healthcare should be any different.
"Our HIV and sexual health services have been using a similar reminder service for several years, so we see this latest initiative as an extension to a service that we already offer our patients."
The system sends automatic text messages through the nationally provided NHSnet service to patients seven days before their outpatient appointment. The trust sends 25,000 reminders each month.
Patients receive an automated phone call if they do not have mobile phones. They can request to opt out of the service if they don't wish to receive a reminder.
The trust's findings come after international academic research on a range of studies found that reminding patients by either text message or phone can cut those failing to turn up for appointments by 34%.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/healthcare-network/2011/sep/29/chelsea-westminster-sms-missed-appointments-london by Ben Whitelaw on 29th September 2011.
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
UK - SMBs Put Mobile Marketing on the Front Burner
Just nine months ago, the overwhelming majority of small business (SMB) owners didn’t consider mobile an important marketing channel. Most surveys showed limited interest and widespread neglect of mobile. It was a very low marketing priority. But as SMBs and their customers have adopted smartphones in increasing numbers, merchant interest in mobile marketing has grown — very rapidly.
Awareness of mobile advertising at the local level is also being fueled by outbound sales efforts from yellow pages publishers, newspapers and other providers of SMB marketing solutions. Mobile websites, mobile display ads and search marketing have been added to the mix of products that telephone and field sales reps are now routinely pitching to small business owners.
In February 2011, an online survey of more than 7,000 SMBs by Opus Research showed limited understanding and usage of mobile. Roughly 83% of respondents said they were not doing any form of mobile marketing. The small remainder who answered in the affirmative reported a variety of promotional efforts including mobile websites, coupons, search and apps.
The largest group of those who said they were doing some form of mobile marketing (5.8%) claimed to have a mobile website, while just over 2% said they had a mobile app. The next largest group (4.5%) said they were involved in mobile paid-search advertising. Very small numbers of SMBs said they were using SMS-based marketing or mobile coupons (2% or less).
Surveys must always be interpreted with some caution. It’s possible that some of responses were “aspirational,” meaning some “yes” answers were based on a near-term intention to do some of these things (e.g., build a mobile website) rather than existing behavior. So the actual “yes” numbers may have been fewer.
The same survey revealed that 74% of respondents didn’t even have a conceptual understanding of how to reach their prospects via mobile marketing. Yet two other studies, conducted just a few months later this year, reflect a dramatic shift in attitudes among SMBs about mobile.
A June 2011 survey by SMB portal Manta, of 1,000 US small business owners, found increasing awareness of the importance of mobile. The majority of Manta SMB survey respondents (69%) said it’s “important” or “very important” that their business be found easily on mobile devices. Manta’s survey also asked whether and how the SMBs used their devices in their daily business activities. The overwhelming majority (86%) reported heavy use of smartphones for business purposes: 50% said “at least 10 times per day.” One can readily infer that SMBs’ own usage of smartphones is a primary factor behind the survey finding that it’s now “important” to be found on mobile devices.
In addition, two recent SMB surveys by Borrell Associates showed more concrete interest in mobile and even a willingness to specify budget commitments. Borrell asked business owners “How likely is it that you will incorporate mobile elements into your advertising and marketing efforts to reach potential customers in 2011?” Forty eight percent said “somewhat likely” or “very likely.”
However a second survey by Borrell, among 484 business owners this summer, found that “four out of every five plan to spend money on mobile marketing this year; [and] on average these businesses expect to devote more than 20 percent of their ad budgets to mobile initiatives.” The survey also reported that 56% of these SMB respondents had been pitched mobile marketing solutions “vendors or media outlets.” Beyond SMB smartphone usage, this sales push is probably also a significant contributor to SMB interest in mobile.
Again, one must be cautious about extrapolating from these responses too aggressively. What they reflect is SMB “intent” first and foremost. We may not 20% of SMB marketing budgets going to mobile any time soon; attitudes and behavior are two different things. But the responses are significant nonetheless.
Comparing these three sets of survey data over the course of just three quarters in 2011 is striking. There has been a dramatic – even unprecedented – shift in perceptions and receptiveness to mobile among SMBs. In the world of small business marketing there’s never been a marketing channel or product that has gone from relative obscurity to top of mind like this in such a short period of time.
Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/smbs-put-mobile-marketing-on-the-front-burner-2011-10 by Greg Sterling on 18th October 2011.
Awareness of mobile advertising at the local level is also being fueled by outbound sales efforts from yellow pages publishers, newspapers and other providers of SMB marketing solutions. Mobile websites, mobile display ads and search marketing have been added to the mix of products that telephone and field sales reps are now routinely pitching to small business owners.
In February 2011, an online survey of more than 7,000 SMBs by Opus Research showed limited understanding and usage of mobile. Roughly 83% of respondents said they were not doing any form of mobile marketing. The small remainder who answered in the affirmative reported a variety of promotional efforts including mobile websites, coupons, search and apps.
The largest group of those who said they were doing some form of mobile marketing (5.8%) claimed to have a mobile website, while just over 2% said they had a mobile app. The next largest group (4.5%) said they were involved in mobile paid-search advertising. Very small numbers of SMBs said they were using SMS-based marketing or mobile coupons (2% or less).
Surveys must always be interpreted with some caution. It’s possible that some of responses were “aspirational,” meaning some “yes” answers were based on a near-term intention to do some of these things (e.g., build a mobile website) rather than existing behavior. So the actual “yes” numbers may have been fewer.
The same survey revealed that 74% of respondents didn’t even have a conceptual understanding of how to reach their prospects via mobile marketing. Yet two other studies, conducted just a few months later this year, reflect a dramatic shift in attitudes among SMBs about mobile.
A June 2011 survey by SMB portal Manta, of 1,000 US small business owners, found increasing awareness of the importance of mobile. The majority of Manta SMB survey respondents (69%) said it’s “important” or “very important” that their business be found easily on mobile devices. Manta’s survey also asked whether and how the SMBs used their devices in their daily business activities. The overwhelming majority (86%) reported heavy use of smartphones for business purposes: 50% said “at least 10 times per day.” One can readily infer that SMBs’ own usage of smartphones is a primary factor behind the survey finding that it’s now “important” to be found on mobile devices.
In addition, two recent SMB surveys by Borrell Associates showed more concrete interest in mobile and even a willingness to specify budget commitments. Borrell asked business owners “How likely is it that you will incorporate mobile elements into your advertising and marketing efforts to reach potential customers in 2011?” Forty eight percent said “somewhat likely” or “very likely.”
However a second survey by Borrell, among 484 business owners this summer, found that “four out of every five plan to spend money on mobile marketing this year; [and] on average these businesses expect to devote more than 20 percent of their ad budgets to mobile initiatives.” The survey also reported that 56% of these SMB respondents had been pitched mobile marketing solutions “vendors or media outlets.” Beyond SMB smartphone usage, this sales push is probably also a significant contributor to SMB interest in mobile.
Again, one must be cautious about extrapolating from these responses too aggressively. What they reflect is SMB “intent” first and foremost. We may not 20% of SMB marketing budgets going to mobile any time soon; attitudes and behavior are two different things. But the responses are significant nonetheless.
Comparing these three sets of survey data over the course of just three quarters in 2011 is striking. There has been a dramatic – even unprecedented – shift in perceptions and receptiveness to mobile among SMBs. In the world of small business marketing there’s never been a marketing channel or product that has gone from relative obscurity to top of mind like this in such a short period of time.
Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/smbs-put-mobile-marketing-on-the-front-burner-2011-10 by Greg Sterling on 18th October 2011.
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
Asia Pacific - Mobile devices transforming media landscape :eMarketer,SMG report
New York :eMarketer, in collaboration with Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG), has released its annual Global Media Intelligence report, which provides data, insights and analysis for brands to use as they plan media budgets and strategy for 2012.
The “2011 Global Media Intelligence” (GMI) report covers six major regions worldwide—Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Africa, North America, and Western Europe—and provides snapshots of 36 countries identified as core markets.
"I'm excited to have eMarketer's latest ‘Global Media Intelligence’ report again this year,” said Linda Dorman, VP of Global Strategy at Experian. “It's another example of the excellent global data and perspective eMarketer provides our company every day."
The report includes data on demographics, broadband and mobile penetration, media usage, and consumer behavior in each region, as well as insights on digital and total media advertising spending trends through 2015.
In several major markets—including the US and UK—the specter of a double-dip recession is casting a dark shadow over businesses and consumers. Regardless, global ad spending will still approach $500 billion this year, eMarketer estimates, and digital advertising will remain a star performer following a 2010 in which growth in online ad spending outpaced all other platforms in most mature markets.
eMarketer estimates North America will continue to draw the greatest share of online advertising spending of any region, with over 40% of the worldwide total. Western Europe’s share of online spending will decline as emerging markets in Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Eastern Europe up spending.
Asia-Pacific is expected to increase its share of total ad spending worldwide over the next few years, and overtake North America as the worldwide leader in the next five years.
Mobile devices are transforming the media landscape in every corner of the world. For instance, within four years, mobile phone penetration in Asia-Pacific will climb from an estimated 55.4% to nearly 73%, and the region will boast an eye-popping 2.9 billion mobile phone users.
“We’re thrilled to work with eMarketer again to provide global digital insights to our clients, and help them more effectively plan and allocate dollars through digital channels around the world,” said Kate Sirkin, Executive Vice President of Research at Starcom MediaVest Group.
SMG helped identify and gather data for local and core global markets included in the report.
After seeing record interest among marketers for the “2010 Global Media Intelligence” report published last year, eMarketer hopes the new report will help marketers more effectively plan their marketing mixes and allocate budget toward digital channels during the coming year.
“The ‘2010 Global Media Intelligence’ report was one of the most popular reports we’ve ever produced,” said eMarketer President Lisa Church. “We’re very pleased to be able to deliver the report again this year with even more relevant insights on digital markets around the world.”
“We expect massive interest again among our client base, especially as most are currently in the process of finalizing their media strategies for 2012,” added Church.
Source: http://www.medianewsline.com/news/132/ARTICLE/8352/2011-10-17.html by Sandhya Manohar on 17th October 2011.
The “2011 Global Media Intelligence” (GMI) report covers six major regions worldwide—Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Africa, North America, and Western Europe—and provides snapshots of 36 countries identified as core markets.
"I'm excited to have eMarketer's latest ‘Global Media Intelligence’ report again this year,” said Linda Dorman, VP of Global Strategy at Experian. “It's another example of the excellent global data and perspective eMarketer provides our company every day."
The report includes data on demographics, broadband and mobile penetration, media usage, and consumer behavior in each region, as well as insights on digital and total media advertising spending trends through 2015.
In several major markets—including the US and UK—the specter of a double-dip recession is casting a dark shadow over businesses and consumers. Regardless, global ad spending will still approach $500 billion this year, eMarketer estimates, and digital advertising will remain a star performer following a 2010 in which growth in online ad spending outpaced all other platforms in most mature markets.
eMarketer estimates North America will continue to draw the greatest share of online advertising spending of any region, with over 40% of the worldwide total. Western Europe’s share of online spending will decline as emerging markets in Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Eastern Europe up spending.
Asia-Pacific is expected to increase its share of total ad spending worldwide over the next few years, and overtake North America as the worldwide leader in the next five years.
Mobile devices are transforming the media landscape in every corner of the world. For instance, within four years, mobile phone penetration in Asia-Pacific will climb from an estimated 55.4% to nearly 73%, and the region will boast an eye-popping 2.9 billion mobile phone users.
“We’re thrilled to work with eMarketer again to provide global digital insights to our clients, and help them more effectively plan and allocate dollars through digital channels around the world,” said Kate Sirkin, Executive Vice President of Research at Starcom MediaVest Group.
SMG helped identify and gather data for local and core global markets included in the report.
After seeing record interest among marketers for the “2010 Global Media Intelligence” report published last year, eMarketer hopes the new report will help marketers more effectively plan their marketing mixes and allocate budget toward digital channels during the coming year.
“The ‘2010 Global Media Intelligence’ report was one of the most popular reports we’ve ever produced,” said eMarketer President Lisa Church. “We’re very pleased to be able to deliver the report again this year with even more relevant insights on digital markets around the world.”
“We expect massive interest again among our client base, especially as most are currently in the process of finalizing their media strategies for 2012,” added Church.
Source: http://www.medianewsline.com/news/132/ARTICLE/8352/2011-10-17.html by Sandhya Manohar on 17th October 2011.
Monday, 17 October 2011
Indonesia - Indonesia’s Lucrative Mobile Phone Market
Indonesia іѕ аlmοѕt lіkе a vast continent οf Islands spanning a greater distance thаn Europe. A nation οf Islands, languages, cultures аnd religions thаt іѕ one οf South-East Asia’s trυе melting points. And thіѕ nation οf over 227 Million people hаνе a culture οf communicating wіth each οthеr bу speaking, rаthеr thаn bу emailing.
Aside frοm thе symbols οf daily life іn Indonesia – thе street food stall. Thеrе іѕ a nеw symbol іn 21st century Indonesia, thе mobile phone store, аnd phone credit stall – Selling anything frοm cheap mobile phones tο pre-paid credit tο mobile phone users.
Thеn thеrе аrе thе “pimp уουr phone” stalls, found everywhere іn street markets tο sophisticated stalls іn air-conditioned Malls. Phone users саn bυу anything frοm mp3′s tο customized casing fοr thеіr phone. Indonesians express themselves through thеіr phones, аnd thіѕ expression hаѕ сrеаtе employment аnd business, fοr over a million people.
Frοm thе simple Cigarette stand owner, whο hаѕ diversified іntο selling pre-paid phone credits, аnd numbers, tο thе mobile phone retailers, whο seem tο take up sometimes whole floors іn a Mall.
Whу аrе Mobile Phones ѕο іmрοrtаnt tο Indonesians?
Whеn thе Indonesian Government de-regulated thе telecommunications market іn Indonesia- Whаt wаѕ once a luxury, became accessible fοr people, needing tο communicate cheaply wіth thеіr families, аnd friends, whο οftеn live аll over Indonesia.
De-regulation аlѕο сrеаtеd over twelve nеw mobile phone providers.
Providers thаt competed іn a free market, whеrе thе cost οf calls аnd sms’s continued tο decrease- simply bесаυѕе οf thе intense competition.
Phones became more sophisticated, аnd trendy.
Thеу wеrе affordable tο mοѕt Indonesians, аnd іn a country wеrе lobbying іѕ іmрοrtаnt- essential tο business.
People bеgаn switching phones аѕ technology advanced, аnd hundreds οf manufacturers frοm Nokia tο Huawei entered thе market.
Many mаdе deals wіth local telephone providers. Huawei linked wіth one mobile phone provider tο сrеаtе a service linked tο mаkіng cheap landline calls, асrοѕѕ thіѕ vast nation οf Islands. A cheap phone, plus аn inexpensive phone provider meant a booming business fοr both companies.
Others hаνе turned more sophisticated offering cheap internet services, linked wіth more heavyweight phone manufacturers lіkе Nokia, аnd thе “creme de la creme”οf phone producers – Blackberry.
Internet-based websites lіkе Facebook.com, аnd yahoo.com work wіth ѕοmе providers tο offer instant access tο thе websites, аnd services. Others provide inexpensive overseas mobile phone services- aimed аt lονеd ones еіthеr studying οr living overseas.
Mobile Phones hаνе become аn essential раrt οf Indonesian life, аnd thе business hаѕ сrеаtеd much needed employment іn a young country, wіth nο real social аѕѕіѕtаnсе programs. Even a street vendor, саn hawk mobile phone numbers, casing, аnd even trinkets tο personalize a phone.
In 21st Century Indonesia, a mobile phone user саn οftеn call fοr free, anywhere іn thе country , οr even gеt hundreds οf free sms’s. Whilst thе phone itself hаѕ become a status symbol, wеrе wіth such аn array οf competition, thе vast majority οf Indonesians, now οwn аnd υѕе a mobile phone.
De-regulation аnd trυе free enterprise саn work аѕ long аѕ thе service offered іѕ truly beneficial tο people. Many people mау laugh аt thе οftеn faddish nature οf Indonesian mobile phone usage, bυt іt hаѕ сrеаtеd a bridge fοr lονеd ones tο communicate, nеw business, аnd above аll employment.
Source: http://shiraandliad.com/indonesias-lucrative-mobile-phone-market.html by admin on 11th October 2011.
Aside frοm thе symbols οf daily life іn Indonesia – thе street food stall. Thеrе іѕ a nеw symbol іn 21st century Indonesia, thе mobile phone store, аnd phone credit stall – Selling anything frοm cheap mobile phones tο pre-paid credit tο mobile phone users.
Thеn thеrе аrе thе “pimp уουr phone” stalls, found everywhere іn street markets tο sophisticated stalls іn air-conditioned Malls. Phone users саn bυу anything frοm mp3′s tο customized casing fοr thеіr phone. Indonesians express themselves through thеіr phones, аnd thіѕ expression hаѕ сrеаtе employment аnd business, fοr over a million people.
Frοm thе simple Cigarette stand owner, whο hаѕ diversified іntο selling pre-paid phone credits, аnd numbers, tο thе mobile phone retailers, whο seem tο take up sometimes whole floors іn a Mall.
Whу аrе Mobile Phones ѕο іmрοrtаnt tο Indonesians?
Whеn thе Indonesian Government de-regulated thе telecommunications market іn Indonesia- Whаt wаѕ once a luxury, became accessible fοr people, needing tο communicate cheaply wіth thеіr families, аnd friends, whο οftеn live аll over Indonesia.
De-regulation аlѕο сrеаtеd over twelve nеw mobile phone providers.
Providers thаt competed іn a free market, whеrе thе cost οf calls аnd sms’s continued tο decrease- simply bесаυѕе οf thе intense competition.
Phones became more sophisticated, аnd trendy.
Thеу wеrе affordable tο mοѕt Indonesians, аnd іn a country wеrе lobbying іѕ іmрοrtаnt- essential tο business.
People bеgаn switching phones аѕ technology advanced, аnd hundreds οf manufacturers frοm Nokia tο Huawei entered thе market.
Many mаdе deals wіth local telephone providers. Huawei linked wіth one mobile phone provider tο сrеаtе a service linked tο mаkіng cheap landline calls, асrοѕѕ thіѕ vast nation οf Islands. A cheap phone, plus аn inexpensive phone provider meant a booming business fοr both companies.
Others hаνе turned more sophisticated offering cheap internet services, linked wіth more heavyweight phone manufacturers lіkе Nokia, аnd thе “creme de la creme”οf phone producers – Blackberry.
Internet-based websites lіkе Facebook.com, аnd yahoo.com work wіth ѕοmе providers tο offer instant access tο thе websites, аnd services. Others provide inexpensive overseas mobile phone services- aimed аt lονеd ones еіthеr studying οr living overseas.
Mobile Phones hаνе become аn essential раrt οf Indonesian life, аnd thе business hаѕ сrеаtеd much needed employment іn a young country, wіth nο real social аѕѕіѕtаnсе programs. Even a street vendor, саn hawk mobile phone numbers, casing, аnd even trinkets tο personalize a phone.
In 21st Century Indonesia, a mobile phone user саn οftеn call fοr free, anywhere іn thе country , οr even gеt hundreds οf free sms’s. Whilst thе phone itself hаѕ become a status symbol, wеrе wіth such аn array οf competition, thе vast majority οf Indonesians, now οwn аnd υѕе a mobile phone.
De-regulation аnd trυе free enterprise саn work аѕ long аѕ thе service offered іѕ truly beneficial tο people. Many people mау laugh аt thе οftеn faddish nature οf Indonesian mobile phone usage, bυt іt hаѕ сrеаtеd a bridge fοr lονеd ones tο communicate, nеw business, аnd above аll employment.
Source: http://shiraandliad.com/indonesias-lucrative-mobile-phone-market.html by admin on 11th October 2011.
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