SMS & Location Based Services Blog

Nokia to improve global positioning service

2007-07-23T09:01:00.001+10:00

The Washington Post reports that Nokia launched a service which it said would cut the time a GPS-enabled cellphone takes to pinpoint its whereabouts, opening new opportunities for location-based online services.
"Nokia hopes the service, available for users of its flagship N95 phones, will cut the startup time to one minute, from up to three minutes currently. The slowness has so far hampered takeup of cellphone navigation.
Handset makers see GPS-based navigation as one of the next big value-adding offerings and even at this early stage."

Via: http://www.textually.org/

Redcoal Says: In Australia, the penetration of GPS phone is currently virtually non existent however this is likely to change over the next few years if the US trend is followed. In regards to the delivery of 3rd party location based services (as opposed to Carrier) I do not believe the coordinates are available to 3rd parties (I will have to check). In anycase, even 1 minute is too long for most services...

Movistar Chile Deploys LBS Aggregation Gateway Capabilites Via LOC-AID

2007-07-23T08:41:00.000+10:00

LOC-AID Technologies Inc., a leader in location-based services (LBS) and innovator of end-to-end location aggregation, is pleased to announce that Movistar Chile has selected LOC-AID Technologies Inc. to implement location based services. Movistar Chile's LBS launch marks the first time a GSM carrier in the Americas enables J2ME, Premium SMS and Web for subscribers to access multiple location based applications, based on LOC-AIDs LBS Xchange Gateway/Portal for third party LBS deployments.

Via: www.wirelessdevnet.com/news/2007/jul/20/news1.html

Redcoal Says: For all those currently unaware of the state of LBS in Australia, currently both Optus and Telstra offer 3rd parties access to their LBS Gateway for the delivery of Location Based Services. A key step to the growth of location based services in Australia is the "aggregation" of these gateways. IE: Providing businesses with the ability to hook into one gateway/API that can access both Optus and Telstra (and when available, Vodafone and Hutchison.) This is vital to reducing the capital expenditure for developing LBS technology as well as development time. Currently redcoal is BETA trialing such an API. For more infor go to www.simpoint.com.au

The Emergence of Voice SMS (India)

2007-07-18T14:08:00.000+10:00

Kirusa, a leading mobile value added services provider' today, announced $10 million funding from venture capital firms Helicon Venture Partners and Nexus India Capital . This was the third round of funding for the company which holds a patent from the US Patent Office for its voice SMS technology. It had earlier received funding of $9 million , Inderpal Singh Mumick, Chairman and CEO of Kirusa said

Voice SMS enables people to send sms messages by speaking has all set to become an all important communication for people from various walks of society, he said.

Via: Economic Times

Redcoal Says: This sounds a lot like voicemail to me. I can see the application in countries with lower literacy levels however I wouldn't start mourning the death of SMS quite yet

The "Where I've Been Website" (US)

2007-07-17T13:51:00.000+10:00

A globetrotting Briton and a veteran trader at the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) have launched "Where I've Been," http://www.whereihavebeen.com/ a unique interactive tourist map that has achieved more than 1.5 million site visits since its June debut and the prompting of acquisition offers from established Internet travel sites.

Via: PR Newswire

Redcoal Says: This is a very clever idea. If there are any entrepreneurs out there, one could easily create a website that provides this service using Location Based Services, meaning rather then putting where you have been manually on a map, it could be automated using the SimPoint API.

Alleged fraudster hacks earnings off Plus SMS (NZ)

2007-07-16T16:24:00.000+10:00

Battling text messaging organization Plus SMS Holdings has downgraded its consolidated earnings by 44 per cent blaming costs associated with alleged criminal actions of an executive. Plus SMS, which last year said it had made "unrealistic statements" to the market, announced this morning it had terminated the employment contract of senior manager Nicolas Barrera Rios, for gross misconduct and alleged criminal fraud. "PLS has completed its internal investigation of the matter and has initiated legal action to recover potential damages for lost earnings," the company said in a statement.

Via National Business Review

LBS To Be Worth 1.5 Billion in 2007

2007-07-16T15:23:00.000+10:00

The worldwide market for location-based telecommunication services is expected to reach nearly $1.5 billion in 2007 as an ever increasing number of cellular and other wireless carriers provide customized services based upon a location-awareness of their end-users.

Insight ResearchInsight Research's market analysis study, entitled "Location Based Services Market 2007-2011," notes that location-based services are part of a worldwide push by carriers to create new IP-enabled services for consumers and business users.

Via: Lbszone

Redcoal Says: I hope so...

Indian telecom giant BSNL launched LBS

2007-07-13T08:21:00.000+10:00

Telenity, a provider of applications for communications networks, announced that India's state-owned telecom giant, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) has successfully launched location-based services (LBS) on Telenity's Canvas Location Enabling Server. BSNL has a market share of 45% in India with 75 million subscribers (March 2007 – Indian Telecom regulatory authority figures).
Four location-based services have been already launched in the East Zone of BSNL's network: - Friend Finder – alerts subscribers when one of their friends in their buddy list is in close proximity to their location.
Location Based Advertisement - automatically broadcasts advertisement to subscribers within a defined geographical region via SMS messages.
Location Based Chatting Service – enables subscribers to communicate and/or meet someone with same interests within the same vicinity.
Real Time Fleet and Asset Management - enables enterprises to locate, monitor and manage their mobile assets and employees in a secure way using a simple Web browser.

Via: GPS Business News

Location Based Mobile Services Take Off In China

2007-07-13T08:09:00.001+10:00

Mobile services providing information relevant to a user's location are proving popular with business users in China, and sales will grow as a wider range of suitable handsets become available, according to research firm In-Stat.

Personal navigation and local information services have proved particularly popular among early adopters in the country. Mobile location-based services are a potential source of growth for wireless carriers, service providers, navigation software vendors and mobile phone manufacturers, according to the In-Stat researchers. "In the future, we believe that services that combine location-based and other mobile value-added services will be very competitive," said Frances Guan, an In-Stat research analyst based in China.

Via: vnunet

Redcoal Says: We agree whole heartedly Frances Guan and as a result have developed an API allowing organisation to incorporate Location Based Services into existing software applications (sorry for the plug but this is a business blog after all) for more information contact us at http://www.simpoint.com.au/Contact.aspx

Using SMS To Catch Fish (UK)

2007-07-12T10:50:00.000+10:00

This is an interesting case study from a mobile messaging company in the UK.

Objective
Allow skippers of trawlers operating in the North Sea to communicate easily with shore based staff

Provide fish buyers with crucial catch information before they turn up at the auction

Provide fish buyers with a service that will keep then informed and updated wherever they happen to be

Solution
Supply Hull Fisheries with a web based text platform that enables them to communicate with all buyers by text

Skippers 'radio in' their current catch while still at sea

Alerts are sent to buyers well in advance of auctions. With this information, they can then decide whether or not to attend.

Via: http://textmarketer.org.uk/

Redcoal Says: This kind of system is so unbelievably easy to set up and generally replaces existing processes using expensive mobile phone calls. You don't have to be a genius to see the ROI. For more information email info@redcoal.com

Order Your Favourite Meal Via Your Mobile (USA)

2007-07-12T10:31:00.001+10:00

This is a very clever service:

1. You register online at www.gomobo.com to setup your account (free).
2. You browse the restaurant menus and create your favourite sandwich/meal configurations.
3. Then, when you’re ready, you either use your mobile browser or text message to order your meal.
4. You get a note back from the restaurant letting you know when to pick-up.
5. No need to worry about cash. That’s all handled by the Mobo system (which automatically
6. debits the correct amount from your credit card, configured no your account.)
7. Turn up at the restaurant’s special pick-up ‘Gomobo’ area, quote your name — and woosh — 8. Walk away with your sandwich.

Via: SMS Text News

redcoal Says: A simpler and more feasable version of this service that can be done in house is simply setting up a dedicated number that people can SMS to with their order. This can be simplified with marketing collateral that has numbers corresponding to the menu item. Oporto have a service similar to this using FAX. I can't stand lining up for food during lunch so I would go for this (and I also work for a messaging company). To see how redcoal can help provide this please email info@redcoal.com

SMS News Alerts For Business People on the Move (India)

2007-07-12T10:08:00.000+10:00

Business Standard Network has released a service allowing business to connect with the vast network of Business Standard journalists via SMS. The SMS service allows subscribers to access information, intelligence and insights 24/7 from stock market updates to local news.

The service also allows subscribers to engage with the publication by submitting their thoughts and opinions via SMS.

Via: Business Standard News

Redcoal Says: Providing a service similar to this is relatively simple to do, particularly if your organisation already has the content online. Many organisation around the world provide mobile versions of their existing online services as a value added services. This can be added to the monthly subscription fee or billed per SMS (using Premium Rate SMS). Many services like this including SMS footy score updates, alerts when a house is put on the market already etc exist and can be quite lucrative. For information on how to provide your customers with a similar service please email info@redcoal.com

Value-added offerings to spur growth of Location Based Services

2007-07-10T16:04:00.000+10:00

Location-based services (LBS) which have largely remained untapped in Asia-Pacific are expected to show promising growth in tandem with the introduction of mash-up services and increase in mobile advertising.

New analysis from global growth consulting company, Frost & Sullivan (www.mobileandwireless.frost.com), Asia Pacific Location-based Services Market, reveals that the market - covering 13 major Asia-Pacific economies - was worth US$291.7 million in 2006, and is expected to grow at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 15.3 percent (2006-2009) to reach an estimated US$447 million by end-2009.

“LBS is emerging as the benchmark for service differentiation among mobile operators. Despite being a fairly small segment, this niche market is gradually shifting from a mere complementary service into a significant source of revenues,” says Frost & Sullivan industry manager Janice Chong.

Via Computerworld

Redcoal Says: "Much of the media's focus is on how the carriers are looking to differentiate themselves from one another utilising LBS. Unless your the CEO of Optus or Telstra, most people aren't that interested. However, LBS allows a range of software providers to optimise their product offering via the addition of location sensitivity, (In particular CRM, Field Force management etc). For information on integrating LBS into your existing software please go to http://www.simpoint.com.au/

Vodafone To Offer Encrypted SMS To Businesses (UK)

2007-07-10T15:14:00.000+10:00

Vodafone UK has signed a reseller agreement with Broca, to provide a secure SMS messaging service. Broca's flagship service, SAMS, is a patented technology which encrypts and protects traditional SMS messages.

Under the terms of the agreement, Vodafone will integrate SAMS into the messaging portfolio sold by its 'Target' sales division. As a value added messaging product SAMS will be used for secure messaging and data capture for corporate customers. The initial focus will be to drive the use of SAMS by Vodafone business customers and Broca will receive payments based on the number of messages sent.

Via Cellular News

Redcoal Says: "This is an illustration of carriers providing value added services to facilitate the adoption of SMS within business. Currently in Australia, the majority of banking and financial institutions deliver services to customers via SMS in the form of event based account alerts, two factor authentication as well as incorporate SMS into complex processes requiring extensive customer interaction (Eg: Mortgage processing etc). For more information email info@redcoal.com.

redcoal Announces Launch of New Blog

2007-07-09T15:48:00.000+10:00

Welcome to the new and exciting redcoal blog, dedicated to acknowledging inspired commercial decisions utilising mobile messaging and location based services. The difference with this blog is if you see something you like, making it happen is as simple as sending an email to info@redcoal.com.