SMS Remains Leading Communications Solution

The communications solutions in the mobile market have evolved to new heights, but it seems that traditional means of interaction between users are those who will remain dominant in the area. Global research and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan stats in a recent report exclusively licensed to Comverse that Text Messaging is the communications means that will dominate the messaging arena, and that it will also develop new features during the following three to five years.

According to the report, the evolutionary path of Text Messaging “will usher in text messaging with contextual presence and location information, as well as a unified identity for messaging that provides an user’s status, personal information, updates and messages in one user interface.” The number of annual text messages comes close to four trillion globally, and carriers are concerned about enhancing profitability and capitalizing on new capabilities, the research firm also notes.

“SMS’s massive success and staying power give the industry valuable insight into its transition to next-generation messaging,” said Ronald Gruia, principal telecom analyst for Frost & Sullivan. “Simple accessibility, ubiquitous network interoperability, ease of use, affordability and price predictability for text messaging are key guideposts as the industry evolves new messaging paradigms and migrates to next-generation networks.” Gruia conducted interviews with a number of 18 leading telecom providers in major markets in the world and also talked with strategic industry professionals.

According to Gabriel Matsliach, president of Products and Operations at Comverse, carriers can maximize revenues today through benefiting from in-depth market research as the one employed by Comverse. The company, as most of you might already know, is a leading supplier of software and systems enabling value-added messaging and content services, which also delivers IP communications and converged billing and active customer management.

“As the largest generator of mobile revenues after voice, messaging holds enormous potential for operators. With its steady focus on cost efficiency, growth enablement and innovation, Comverse is closely aligned with the study’s recommendations, making messaging smarter and leaner, positioning operators to unleash the growing value of messaging and other Comverse HUB Value-Added Services,” Matsliach added. A copy of the Executive Summary of the “The Future of Messaging” report can be obtained from here.