Alltel Axcess Text Messaging and Picture Messaging
Alltel’s messaging lineup including its My Circle bundles remains competitive. However, due to its divested state, the carrier is in a limbo of sorts and has made no new launches or improvements to its service. (6/18/2010)
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AT&T Text Messaging, Multimedia Messaging
AT&T’s plans cater to all segments of its users, providing a complete solution that includes wireless/wireline integration. However, the steep cost of its services might discourage users looking to trim their bills. (7/6/2010)
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Sprint Nextel Short Text Messaging, Picture/Video Mail
Sprint’s messaging services are strong due to a good mix of a la carte plans and voice bundles that cater to casual and heavy users. The carrier’s attractive prices and extensive feature set help it enhance its value carrier status in the U.S. wireless space. (6/22/2010)
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T-Mobile USA Two-way Text Messaging, Picture & Video Messaging
T-Mobile’s cost-effective voice/data/messaging bundles encourage usage while combining savings to help lock in revenue, which is critical in tough economic times. (6/22/2010)
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Verizon Wireless IN Messaging (TXT, PIX, and FLIX)
Verizon Wireless’ plans that include unlimited in-network messaging continue to appeal to a wide segment of its consumer base. By spearheading the voice/data/messaging bundles, the carrier has managed to lock in data revenue and increase ARPU. (6/22/2010)
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• Sections
  
• - Current Perspective Rating
• - Product Strengths & Weaknesses
• - Product Buying Criteria
• - Product Metrics

Top

• Buying Criteria
  • Price
    • As in all communications services, pricing is an important buying criterion. With SMS and MMS service, incoming and outgoing per message charges, monthly packages, and overage charges are all factors.
  • Content
    • SMS and MMS can be used as a bearer channel for additional services such as new alerts, video clips, and instant messaging services. These services often allow users to extend existing networks of friends, family members, or colleagues.
  • Coverage
    • Where users can send and receive messages bounds SMS and MMS service usability, and as networks are in transition from 2G to 2.5G or 3G messaging coverage is often less available that voice coverage. Coverage issues include technology requirements, network footprint, inter-carrier compatibility, and roaming agreements.
  • Equipment Options
    • Both SMS and MMS require special handsets, with MMS being by far the more advanced. Picture phones are relatively new, and a carrier's selection of devices is important. More is not always better, but it does help a carrier to offer a variety of price points that match customer's preferences as well as limit risk from poor performing individual products.

Top

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• Product Metrics
  • SMS
    • Mobile Terminate (MT) / Mobile Originate (MO)
    • Packages / Pricing
    • Promotions
    • Co-marketing
    • Max # of Characters per Message
    • Cross-carrier SMS
    • Mobile - to - E-mail
    • MIN or MO Blocking
    • Default to Per Message Price if No Bucket Selected
    • Custom Messages / Responses
    • Group Distribution
    • Message Delivery Confirmation
    • Push Alerts
    • International Message Delivery
    • Other Consumer Applications
    • Domestic Roaming
    • International Roaming
    • Web Messaging Site
    • # of Capable Handsets Sold
  • Instant Messaging
    • AOL IM Ready Phones
    • MSN IM Ready Phones
    • Yahoo! IM Ready Phones
    • AOL
    • MSN
    • Yahoo!
    • ICQ
    • ICQ IM Ready Phones
    • Carrier's Brand
  • MMS
    • Launch Date
    • Vendor
    • Content
    • Pricing
    • Default to Per Message Price
    • Promotions
    • Mobile to e-mail
    • Mobile to Mobile
    • Cross Carrier
    • Handsets
    • Imaging