Well, they dont have a choice. The income level of that group is very low and probably can't afford it.
What mobile operators do, and is very smart, is they create the demand... After a while they will create the dependency.
What this would work like would be basically very much like how a Pre-paid Cellphone connection works.
Would such a system be to the disadvantage of RIM? I am not so sure.
After all,Telecom Providers have more to lose in such a system(where the Instrument uses Data services only upto a point,beyond which the Data services get switched off).
I have actually seen such a system in action in the most Vibrant Telecom market in the world-India.
The Largest Telecom firm there-Airtel has a Pre-paid data services card;I just don't know if its available for RIM.
But then,why would you use a RIM phone if you can't use Messenger Services on a 24/7 basis? After all is'nt that the major Selling point of RIM Handsets???
An interesting thing happens in the DR (not sure where else) but people have Blackberrys but only as a phone (no data) and service providers have a product where they pay for data (including BBM) for a few hours, a day, the weekend, etc.
This way the customers don't have to pay a monthly fee, it depends on their income, etc.
We might see a major shift in market share in the near future,especially if the Android or Nokia-Windows combo starts to excite users in LATAM with better offerings as well as with more useful apps.
Still RIM remains a potent in those markets even today.
In the LATAM region, RIM is also very popular (also because of the BBM) but over time, I've seen how that has migrated. The higher end costumers migrate to iPhones and high-end Android phones at a rather fast pace. The lower segments are still using BBs, but I don't think that will last forever.
I would also like to see more competition in the mobile space(Apple's products are beyond stale today in my opinion).
Lets wait and watch if RIM can challenge the duopoly at the top today.
What is needed is basically a Design change.You need to not just re-focus on your strengths and leverage your existing customer base but all build products that WoW! the customer-base and provide more incentives to App developers to develop for RIMs OS.
Like I said it ain't gonna be easy but somebody's gotta do it.
Thanks tech4people for the link as per the latest at RIM.
Would the change bring new life to the RIM in market segment where it's currently being struggled both stocks and product?
The new CEO - Mr Thorsten Heins, should quickly address market where RIM's Blackberry strongholding by injecting new strategies so as to maintain RIM lead.
Thats precisely why I warned against writing off RIM so early(as most Western Writers tend to do).
The thing is because RIM is based in Canada and is a Canadian Listed company what Investors/Journalists/Analysts in Canada/America say carries more weight(and is reflected in its abysmal share price).
If instead RIM was listed in Hong Kong/Singapore/Shanghai/Mumbai/Johannesberg ;the considerations (and share-price)would be very,very different.
Maybe its time to consider a dual-listing for the stock????
But you will be very,very surprised to see how popular RIM is in Asia(particularly India and the Middle-East)-Even I was amazed on my travels there.
@tech4people i agree with you on RIM's market share in western communities. But in UK, is also commonly use among youths than any other smartphones. In addition, in Africa Blackberry is most popular. I think, RIM should also increase more on its already established markets in developing world and hold onto it with strategy center towards those places.
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Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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