Google’s Android Presents Carrier Opportunities and Problems

| Nov 7, 2007 | Wireless Services - Europe | Competitive Intelligence Report
| Analysts: Emma Mohr-McClune, Avi Greegart

Current Perspective: Neutral
Vendor Importance: High
Market Impact: High

Event Summary

On November 5th a broad alliance of leading technology and wireless companies joined forces to announce the development of Android, an open and comprehensive platform for mobile devices. Google, T-Mobile, HTC, Qualcomm, Motorola and others have collaborated on the development of Android through the Open Handset Alliance, a multinational alliance of technology and mobile industry leaders.

Recommended Competitor Actions

• Mobile operators should be attuned to the software-driven trends of new device marketing. The iPhone is the ultimate marriage of proprietary hard and software, but 3Group’s new ‘Skypephone’ is little more than a software-embedded exclusive.

• Mobile operators should learn as much as they can about Google, Android and its mobile advertising roadmap. Understanding Google has never been more important.

• Nokia should plan to sign the lion’s share of mobile carrier advocates to Ovi within 2008, in anticipation of the Android challenge. The recent news of Vodafone’s support provides Nokia with a solid gold reference customer.

• Apple must deliver on a 3G/HSDPA-enabled iPhone by summer 2008. Google’s mobile aggression should force Apple to take European network compatibility demands seriously.

Recommended End User/Consumer Actions

• European consumers should ignore this announcement, as it amounts to little more than a pre-announcement of an OS blueprint for devices which will not go on sale until the end of next year, at the earliest.

• It is by no means clear that an ecosystem for enterprise deployment of Android devices will develop with functionality and security comparable to what Microsoft, Symbian and RIM have developed. However, it would be foolish to count out Google’s efforts here, especially since a completely open platform could bring enterprises benefits not found on less customizable OS’s.

• Enterprises planning significant investment in mobile application development deploying over the next three to five years should download the Android SDK as soon as possible to begin the evaluation process. Enterprises with a shorter timeframe should keep an eye on Android, but their implementation timeframe dictates going with a more established platform and existing software and integration offerings.

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Current Perspective

Competitive Positives

Competitive Concerns

Recommended Vendor Actions

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