Fiberlink Introduces Extend360 Mobility Platform 2.0 and Strengthens Its SaaS Strategy

On April 11th Fiberlink introduced its Extend360 Mobility Platform 2.0, with the objective of simplifying the deployment and management of mobility solutions. The new platform comes with an improved dashboard which provides an integrated view of access networks and integrated security services including identity management.

Recommended Competitive Responses

► iPass should point out that it has the largest hotspot coverage capabilities as compared to other mobility solution providers and can provide 3G coverage in US as well as UK. In addition, iPass can also facilitate satellite access for remote locations though its iPassConnect client.

► AT&T should leverage on its new ownership in Cingular for building cellular access capabilities in the US and extend the same to Europe. In addition, AT&T should point out that it does support third party WiFi and 3G access on its NetGate and has recently launched a new portfolio of security services which includes software patch validation, anti-virus upgrades and anti-spyware protection.

► Orange Business Services should point out that it recently launched its SSL service as a part of its business everywhere offering to facilitate access from unsecured remote workstations of from cybercafés. In addition, Orange Business Services should point out that it has simplified its remote client interface to improve end-user experience.

Recommended End User/Customer Responses

► MNCs and large enterprises should give more than a favorable ear to Fiberlink’s positioning on its ExtendAccess service offering. Fiberlink clearly has a strong security service portfolio and is ahead of its peers in providing managed security services. The one area where Fiberlink lacks is comparative hotspot access and by being able to integrate third party access networks Fiberlink has theoretically addressed its weakness.

► Vodafone customers in UK should enquire from Vodafone on how they can benefit from the new Extend360 Mobility Platform and give a serious thought to the service. This is more so because Vodafone has recently launched its Application Service and lowered its data roaming charges on mobility enabled laptops. This combined with Fiberlink’s security offerings makes a compelling service proposition.

O2 UK Makes Home Zones into a Favourite Place

On March 28th O2 UK launched its ‘Favourite Place’ pay and go tariff. Customers can choose their favourite place, be it at home or at work, and make 500 minutes of free calls to UK landlines and other O2 mobiles from that postcode every month.

Recommended Competitive Responses

► Rivals in the UK should follow O2 into the homezone tariff market. Vodafone should rollout its tried and tested Zuhause offering and translate this into a UK market proposition. T-Mobile could do the same, drawing on lessons from T-Mobile@home.

► Vodafone UK should consider bundling a homezone service with its At Home ADSL offer to take advantage of the company’s recently launched services in this area. With rivals now also offering DSL services in tandem with mobile, Vodafone needs to respond with its own services in this area.

► Mobile operators should consider offering a more targeted homezone tariff using technology offered by vendors such as Seeker Wireless, since this potentially offers a much better definition of the home location. This smaller definition of the home zone decreases revenue leakage from calls made within the home cell, but outside of the desired home location.

Recommended End User/Customer Responses

► Consumers wanting to use their mobile as their only phone should consider the new O2 Favourite Place tariff, since this offers 500 minutes to landlines or O2 mobiles for a minimum GBP10 per month top up. However consumers should note the restriction on free calls to just O2 mobiles and consider if this fits with their existing calling patterns.

► Consumers should be aware that although they get to nominate a home postcode to define their Favourite Place, the actual service relies on the coverage of the local cells site to define this zone. The coverage of the home zone will then vary from urban to rural location, so consumers need to ensure that the ‘Favourite Place’ coverage for free call is as they expected.

BT Bites into Mobile VoIP with Office Anywhere

On April 17th BT launched its Office Anywhere service combining a dual-mode HTC S620 smartphone, mobile VoIP capabilities, varying voice and data bundles and optional business e-mail services. Users can access BT’s 2,000-strong hotspot network through the BT Openzone WiFi network in the UK, which, coupled with its Wireless City project, provides the most extensive WiFi coverage in the UK.

Recommended Competitive Responses

► Vodafone UK does not put much marketing weight behind WiFi, and the operator cannot compete against services such as Office Anywhere on price or speeds and feeds. HSDPA is and will continue to be a costly alternative to WiFi for cellular data access, and this does pose certain issues for Vodafone. However, through its partnership with Fiberlink, Vodafone could overcome this gap, but there is nothing out from the Vodafone stable yet.

► T-Mobile would point out that its Web’n’walk service does offer cellular WiFi access through its network of 2,500 hotspots across the UK. In addition, T-Mobile should point out that it does offer bundled offers through its Flext and Web’n’walk services.

► Orange Business Services should consider extending its FMC service ‘Unik’ to the UK market and offering dual-mode smartphones along with it. The service provider has all the elements to make this a competitive offering in the UK, but it needs to integrate different elements together.

Recommended End User/Customer Responses

► SMEs should give a favourable ear to BT’s Office Anywhere proposition. The new offering is well-priced and, with different voice and data bundles, it can suit different grades of end users. In addition, SMEs have the flexibility to opt for business e-mail services from BT that can be either hosted or integrated with their existing Microsoft Exchange server.

► Given that mobile VoIP is one of the key features in Office Anywhere, SMEs may want to have a live demonstration or trial of the service to check voice quality and other features associated with VoIP, such as latency and jitter.