Editor’s Note
Editor’s Note

Editor’s Note

Spectrum Auction Strategy – Canada vs Japan

This is not my direct turf per se, but thought perhaps it’s about time to make a few points with respect to the on-going spectrum soap opera back home (disclaimer: I AM Canadian too). Simply put; a major amount of chatter related to their upcoming auction of 700MHz and continued efforts by the Fed. to attract foreign investment in order to disrupt the current cozy strangle-hold by three well-established domestic players.

Ecosystem Platforms vs. Owning the Customer


Let’s take a quick step back first to note my presentation at the recent Digital Media Asia event. While covering the Japan market, as requested, it actually focused on a niggly question for the several hundred attending delegates. Simply put: the legacy approach of their printing industry charged a cover price, say $1 for the daily newspaper, which did not cover the fixed cost of landing that product on the customers lap. The internet came along and “other people” took the PL risk to lay twisted copper and build base stations, while their “customers” paid the monthly connection fees – and – purchased hardware required to render all those digital bytes.

Ode to the Joy of Disruptive Tension – And Zen

Just a few quick thoughts while we have a moment, as there is always plenty of background activity for us here, to note the musical chair action happening just beneath the surface. Let’s peel a layer on the wonderful example of Game Theory currently taking place related to mobile operating systems and a predictable rise of Tizen over the months and years to come. For a decent current overview on this effort, including what’s new in the 2.0 Magnolia build, see their FAQ section [.pdf]

Mobile World Congress Post Event Report – New Horizons


For those who went, a record 72,000 delegates, guessing you’ll have to agree: there was a certain ‘shift’ feeling at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this year. If you didn’t manage to attend there’s plenty of material to review out there, suggest the Show Daily, simply put – as always – far better to have been there in person to compare the new vibe with years past.

Maybe good to start here with a defining quote by Benedict Evans via an otherwise confusing (innovative or not?) WSJ post: “It is a trade fair, but a trade fair for a $1 trillion industry.” Yes, it seems we are all grown-up now. While the energy is evident, the players are changing and the buzz generated years ago by the addition of App Planet, and collectable ‘droid pins, has given way to a more matured atmosphere. Rushing between those huge halls we saw many clearly pleased, and a few panicked, faces.. but most notable was the Silence. A signature background music theme is def. in order for future gatherings.

WWJ – That's a Wrap for 2012

It’s been a rush to the finish as we officially ready to jump for some hard-earned time on a sandy beach with family and friends. Might get around to cranking-out a snappy 2013 looking forward post, after a few umbrella decorated frosties, but for now this quick note from the friendly Star Alliance Lounge at Narita will just have to do.

No doubt it was a hectic year for everyone in this space and we’ve been slamming daily juggling online updates, including all of our properties now coded with responsive layouts, while providing intell. to our most valued clients and running in-bound tour folks around town.. whew.

Looking back over 2012, clearly the industry has matured, we’ve seen significant growth in both the smartphone and LTE space in Japan. While it was a serious shame to miss attending MWC this year – for good cause – our many travels around the world otherwise made crystal clear that mobile business is booming.

Trust you have a Safe & Happy Holiday season.. best take this chance to catch yer breath.. next year promises to be more (and More) of the same!

Update Jan. 7th: Yep.. after an extended, and well-deserved, break we’re back from the beach and have totally cleaned house for 2013. Expect to start seeing some changes around here over the coming weeks as we get underway for another year.