Monday, January 3, 2011

Basic mobile phones just got smarter in Africa

ForgetMeNot Africa launches Message Optimiser bringing email and instant messaging to simple mobile phones without need for PC or Internet across Africa
London, 24 March 2009: ForgetMeNot Africa, a specialist in unified messaging for telecommunications operators, has announced that it is launching its Message Optimiser service throughout Africa. The service will be publically demonstrated for the first time in Africa at East Africa Com on the 1st and 2nd of April in Nairobi, Kenya.
In November 2008 LonZim plc acquired a controlling interest in FMN Africa. LonZim has established a strong presence in both the communications sector and financial services technology in the region, through its investments in Celsys, and Paynet, both of which offer strong synergies with FMNAfrica and further opportunities to enhance LonZim's portfolio of investments.
Message Optimiser (MO) allows carriers to immediately provide cost-effective comprehensive unified messaging services (email, instant messaging (IM) and SMS) without the end user requiring any Internet access, device upgrades, or application downloads.
With an implementation cycle of a matter of weeks, carriers can quickly enjoy additional revenue streams, monetizing channels previously unavailable to them, and offering a unique differentiator point; an array of value-added messaging services to their entire customer base. Since it does not require a data contract, Message Optimiser allows operators to increase ARPU and reduce churn amongst its pre-pay customers.
End-users benefit from the simplicity of ForgetMeNot's Handset Initiation technology, which turns even the most basic mobile phone into a "smarter" Internet-capable, multi-channel messaging device, instantly providing two-way email and two-way instant messaging for both pre-pay and post-pay users alike. Handset Initiation technology is becoming vital not only for developing nations where PC and Internet access is very low but also allows users globally to have access to email and instant messaging without the need for more expensive smartphones, a PC or Internet connection.
Jeremy George, Chief Operating Officer of ForgetMeNot Africa comments: "In today's maturing mobile markets, mobile operators are increasingly focused on customer retention and service differentiation. Message Optimiser meets both needs offering a new revenue stream from their existing subscriber base while offering customers a unique service"

China's Internet World

China with an Internet user base of 218 million has surpassed United States as the world's largest Internet population, generating much hype about a promising e-commerce scene with increased entrepreneurial opportunities. It is estimated by the end of 2008, China's internet population will hit 280 million.
For the past few years, the popularity of online shopping has grown tremendously and it has steadily becoming another source for ordering goods and services online. The increased adoption of credit cards provides e-commerce companies new cooperation opportunities with established banks to work on credit card loyalty and rewards program. Furthermore, consumers are exposed to both objective and biased opinions coming from the online forums and advertising mediums, resulting in greater information symmetry.
China's online gaming sector is another upcoming sector which will contribute to the global online gaming industry worth an estimate of US15 billion dollars. For instance, Electronic Arts, the world's leading video game publisher is set to enter China's online gaming market, a testimonial to the potential of the Chinese Internet market. Furthermore with the increased popularity of the online casual games for Chinese women, you see an increased consumer base for online gaming.
With the increased labour mobility, the Chinese people are often seeking the most economical form of communication with family, friends and colleagues. Therefore the internet provides a good source of stable and cheap means of communication. With the increased adoption of broadband Internet, Internet telephony could be the next big thing in China.
Though the market looks promising, but there are some challenges to tackle before the potential of this market can be fully realized. Firstly, many e-commerce site's payment is still based on cash on delivery due to a lack of established pool of credit card users and trust related issues. Furthermore, depending on the distribution network of your products, you may find delivery of your product to your client in another city a challenge due to the inefficiencies of China's delivery system. However this can be solved with the sourcing of the right distribution partners who can aid your firm in delivering your product safely and on time to your customers. China is looking at devising better technological and legal tools to govern their next biggest market - the virtual world.
Last but not least, it will be beneficial for your firm to engage a good Chinese market research firm to assist you to perform the necessary market research to reaffirm your thought process, source for appropriate distribution partners and lastly market entry in to China's virtual world.