Mobile evolves from 'Whatever' to Wherever in half a decade
Over 6 years ago I was dubious about mobile phones. There was too much gadgetry-for-its-own-sake, not enough new real added utility. Just wasn't going anywhere interesting.Well things have changed since then. Dramatically.
Mobile phones have morphed into mobile personal information sharing appliances, with voice calls now only a minor ingredient. Its no longer about mobile telephony. Its about having a mobile lifestyle.
Its all about immediate access to everything wherever you happen to be, whether at work or at play. Email, that report, stock prices, shopping, movies, games, friends, family, information on any topic, and more.
If you have a business, don't expect many customers to see your ad in the newspaper and drop in to your local shop. They are more likely to hear about your product via their social network, visit an online store they (and others in their network) trust, purchase it and get it delivered to wherever they will be in 3 days.
Mobile phones are no longer mobile phones.
Data traffic on mobile networks far exceeds voice traffic. Mobile phones have become information sources and sinks, the way to find information, the way to share information. Occasionally, using a mobile phone to talk to someone is useful too.More has changed than just the mobile personal device. Much more.
Individuals and businesses are choosing mobile connectivity over fixed, connected everywhere not just the home or office
- Physically wired connections to homes are decreasing rapidly, with people choosing wireless-only options.
- The usage of existing wired connections are slowing or decreasing while mobile usage booms, for both telephony and data.
- The workplace is replacing wired connections to end-users with wireless. Mobility is king - instead of a desk, a desk phone and a PC employees are expected to use a mobile and a wireless laptop and the only desk they might sit at regularly is at a long-term client's premises.
- Businesses used to issue a mobile phone and laptop to employees, now the new era is beginning where you bring your own (personal) devices (BYOD) and use it for work purposes as well as personal.
The expectation of immediate communications is universal
- The time lag between thinking of something you want/need to do and starting to action it is drastically reduced. Your trusty mobile appliance is right there in your pocket, at your immediate service.
- The time lag between someone (or something) wanting to communicate with you and your receipt of the communicae is drastically reduced. Its just about immediate.
Personal life and business life are merging ... and sporting/hobby/family/education/entertainment lives etc.
- Personal life is merging with work life and vice versa, driven by the rise of always-connected social/communities based information sharing applications and utilities
- Hit with a sudden client problem and cruched for time? Reach out through your network for the quickest smartest solution that will still impress your client
- Need to tell your sports team captain/coach you available (or not) for the big game next weekend - its done, easily, and notifications sent to initiate selection of a replacement are automatic
- 4G is rolling out, 5G is in development
- Many of the wireless technologies are evolving rapidly to solve localised wireless network challenges
- Costs of fixed-network-to-the-premises build and maintenance (TCO) is exorbitant compared to mobile network rollout
What does it mean ? ... MOBILITY IS THE NEW NORMAL
Everyone assumes everyone is well connected, wherever they are. People won't respond when they get the message - they always get it immediately. They'll respond based on priority - though generally quicker than ever before.Think about that next time someone takes a while to respond, or doesn't respond to your request. Think about what others might think about you taking a while to respond to them..
How does this affect the way a business operates, and how a business engages all its stakeholders, employees, customers, partners, suppliers, shareholders, competitors and so on.
