Free articles from Sound Partners Research

We provide provocative and insightful research into the key issues facing the wireless industry. Please read our free articles.

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Read our featured article Are mobile operators rapidly becoming low-cost data pipes?

Sound Partners has defined three plausible scenarios for the evolution of the wireless industry during the next five years: ‘Low­cost Data Pipes,’ ‘Emerging Markets Thrive’ and ‘Cellular Goes Indoors.’   More...


Other featured articles from Sound Partners Research

The top ten non-voice services point the way to non-voice service growth
Despite the availability of improved mobile handsets and 3G networks, most mobile operators are still finding it difficult to increase non-voice service revenue. However, the outlook is far from gloomy if mobile operators learn from the most successful services around the world. In order to be successful, operators must be prepared to invest sufficient time and money in high quality end-to-end service implementation, and to diversify beyond conventional non-voice cellular services. More...

MNP has failed in most markets
Mobile Number Portability (MNP) fundamentally enables open competition, by removing a barrier to customers moving freely between mobile network operators. MNP has already been deployed widely in developed markets, and many developing countries are now planning its introduction. However, the take-up of MNP by customers has been very low in many cases. Despite the high level of churn in the mobile industry, less than 10% of mobile numbers have been ported in many countries even after several years of MNP. In general, this is not because of lack of interest, but because of poor implementation. More...

Femtocells: the compelling case for indoor base stations
Small, low-cost indoor base stations, often referred to as picocells and femtocells, could present the opportunity for mobile operators to make a radical departure from their traditional cellular network architectures. The prospect of substantial cost savings and new service opportunities from this change is generating intense interest in the mobile industry and a growing number of companies are now developing products. Of all the wireless technologies that have been hyped in recent years, indoor base stations could be the one that really does have far-reaching consequences. More...