Telco 2.0™ Executive Briefings

It was exhilaratingly clear at the Silicon Valley Brainstorm, March 27-28 2012, that critical inflection points are being reached in many key areas of the digital economy: the challenges are increasingly well defined, and the intellectual, practical and economic resources being employed to solve them have the quality, power and resources to succeed. The tantalising question for all was “how do we position ourselves and implement strategies that will enable our business to be one of those to profit from (or at least survive) these changes?” Our top-level take-outs from the event. (April 2012)

Google's Advertising Revenues Cascade

Digital Economy 2.0: Silicon Valley Executive Brainstorm 2012, Day One (Tuesday 27 March)

Shifting Profit Pools and Strategic Opportunities . Presentations, votes, output and analysis from the Digital Economy 2.0 stream of the New Digital Economics Brainstorm, 27th March 2012, in San Francisco. (March 2012)

Digital Economy 2.0 Silicon Valley March 2012

Strategy 2.0: Google's Strategic Identity Crisis

Google's shares have made little headway recently despite its dominance in search and advertising, and it faces increasing regulatory threats in this area. It either needs to find new sources of value growth or start paying out dividends, like Microsoft, Apple (or indeed, a telco). Overall, this is resulting in something of a strategic identity crisis. A review of Google's strategy and implications for Telcos. (March 2012)

Google's Advertising Revenues Cascade

Facebook: what the pre-IPO S-1 filing revealed

New figures released in Facebook’s S-1 filing for its IPO stack up with Telco 2.0’s previous analysis of Facebook’s performance for our report ‘Dealing with the Disruptors’. This further strengthens our views that many mooted valuations are overblown, and that Facebook will seek new sources of value in communications. (February 2012)

Dealing with the 'Disruptors': Google, Apple, Facebook, Microsoft/Skype and Amazon (Updated Extract)

An updated extract from our 284 page, 124 chart, strategy report that analyses the business models, markets, objectives, strategies and modus operandi of the major adjacent players, and their current and future impact on the telecoms industry. The report identifies the areas and options for competition and co-operation, and outlines potential strategies for interacting with each player. It also draws the combined activities of the digital empires - telcos, so called 'OTT players' and others - into the context of the new 'Great Game', the battle for power and value in the emerging digital economy. (Page updated February 2012, report published November 2011.)

Google Apple Facebook Microsoft Skype Amazon Telco 2.0 Disruptor Report Cover

Your Text is on Fire: OTT's to burn 40% SMS revenue by 2015

In four years' time, Telco SMS revenue will decline on average by around 40% across Europe and the Middle East according to the senior execs at this month's Telco 2.0 brainstorm in London. The main cause is competitive pressure from 'OTT' alternatives (Facebook, Skype, Google, BBM, etc). Mobile voice isn't that far behind, with a 20% decline foreseen. What can be done and what is the role of RCS-e? (November 2011)

EMEA Messaging Decline reasons Nov 2011

Customer Experience 2.0: Learning from Amazon? (STL Presentation)

Customer Experience 2.0: Learning from Amazon?, Presentation by Phil Laidler, Director, Consulting, STL Partners. Can we learn from Amazon, or are we facing the fall of the Telco Empire at the hands of the OTT Invaders? Presented at EMEA Brainstorm, November 2011.

OS Wars, part of the 'Great Game' (STL Partners Presentation)

In Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, Skype - the Great Game. Presentation by Horace Dediu, Senior Analyst, STL Partners, covering OS market shares, dynamics, and catalysts of change. Presented at EMEA Brainstorm, November 2011.

OS Wars small STL Partners Nov 2011

Patent Wars, part of the 'Great Game' (STL Partners Presentation)

In Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, Skype - the Great Game. Presentation by Keith McMahon, Senior Analyst, STL Partners, covering key patent wars between the leading technology players and telcos. Presented at EMEA Brainstorm, November 2011.

Cloud EMEA Nov 2011 BT Financial Sector

The 'Great Game' - Google, Apple, Facebook, Skype, Amazon (STL Presentation)

In Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, Skype - the Great Game. Presentation by Chris Barraclough, Chief Strategist and MD STL Partners, covering some of the key insights from the Telco 2.0 Strategy Report Dealing with the 'Disruptors': Google, Apple, Facebook, Microsoft/Skype and Amazon. Presented at EMEA Brainstorm, November 2011.

Handset IPR - a new cold war begins

The recent spate of deals (Google/Motorola, Nortel, Microsoft/Nokia) are the start of a long 'Cold War', where all parties are heavily armed, and risk destroying each other (and themselves) with overly aggressive legal actions. Telco 2.0 partners Arete Research analyse implications for the mobile device space and clarify some misunderstood issues. (September 2011)

Facebook: really 'worth' $30 billion max - $100 billion is hype

Our maximum valuation of Facebook is $30 billion despite some of the 'hype' suggesting $100 billion valuations. In any event, Facebook will be under enormous pressure to find new sources of growth making further moves into telecommunications likely. See why in this extract previewing our next Strategy Report on 'Internet disruptors' covering Google, Facebook, Apple, Amazon and Skype, and strategies for 'co-opetition' with them. (August 2011)

RIM: R.I.P. or ‘Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated’?

RIM’s shares have plummeted in value over the last four months, prompting an eruption of finger-pointing in the media and speculation of its demise or acquisition. In this analysis we examine whether the doom-mongers are right and what RIM’s recovery strategy might be. (July 2011)

Apple iCloud/iOS: Killing SMS Softly?

Our analysis of how Apple's iCloud, iOS5, and MacOS developments build value and control for Apple's digital platform, and their consequences on other parts of the digital ecosystem, including the impact of iMessage on text messaging. (June 2011)

Strategy 2.0: What Skype + Microsoft means for telcos

In theory, Microsoft and Skype have the resources, the brands, the customer base and the know-how to shape the future of telecoms and become a strategic counterweight to Apple and Google. Can they do it – and what should telcos’ strategy be? (June 2011)

New Business Models: Half Future Telco Growth

Senior industry executives in Palo Alto at the 12th Telco 2.0 Executive Brainstorm agreed that half of the telco growth available in the next 3 years would come from the new business model opportunities identified in the ‘Roadmap to new Telco 2.0 Business Models’ report. The other half would come from improvements to the current business model. Headline findings in brief. (April 2011)

Appstore 2.0: Amazon Vs Apple & Google

Amazon is probably the Internet's best retailer. As it launches its own AppStore, we provide a detailed analysis of its digital media business and pick out the key opportunities it offers to content owners, network service providers and manufacturers. (March 2011)

Android: Google's Anti-Apple Virus?

It can be tempting to think of Android as in a two-horse race with Apple. Our analysis shows that the current and future impact of Google's highly successful mobile ecosystem play is much more complex. (March 2011)

iPad2: how Apple plans to dominate the ‘post PC era’

Apple’s new ‘PC-killer’ tablet is intended to significantly expand the Apple ecosystem, with long-term impacts on many players including telcos, giving Apple an even stronger hold on the market. What strategies should telcos adopt? (March 2011)

YouTube: Recent improvements could change the game (again)

YouTube’s recent improvements to its business model and balance sheet make it much more attractive to content owners. In this article we explain these developments and examine the wider implications for all players the market. (March 2011)

Mobile World Congress: Microsoft CEO fails to land all punches, but...

Microsoft's pugilistic CEO Steve Ballmer came out fighting at the 2011 GSMA Mobile World Congress, but failed to register a convincing win. Is this the start of the old software champ's great comeback in mobile, or is the only way down? Our hunch may surprise you. (February, 2011)

Facing up to Facebook

Despite a >500 million user base and global media hype, Facebook needs more revenues than advertising can bring, and sees communications as a key area to target as its deal with Skype has shown. Telco 2.0's detailed analysis of Facebook's business model and strategy. (Executive Video Briefing, December 2010)

Telcos vs. Internet Players: Act before it’s too late

There's less than 3 years for telcos to take advantage of key strategic ‘control points’ in their battle for sustainable growth in the communications and e-commerce markets, concluded delegates at the Telco 2.0 EMEA Brainstorm in November. How should they think differently about their value and where do they need to (re)focus their attention? Full report from the Brainstorm. (Executive Briefing, December 2010)

Google: Strategic 'Co-opetition' with Telcos on Consumer Data

The 'Personal Information Economy' will see a higher intensity of strategic co-opetition between Google and telcos according to Google's Eric Sachs. (November 2010)

$Multi-Billion Telco 2.0 Growth Opportunities in North America: Can Telcos Act in Time?

An initial summary of the key out-takes from the 10th Telco 2.0 Americas Executive Brainstorm (incorporating Digital Entertainment 2.0) held in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, October 28-29, 2010. 92% of participants agreed it is time to make either a step change in key functions (34%) or initiate a fundamental transformation (58%) in the next 12-18 months. (November 2010)

Facebook: Moving into Telco Space?

Telco 2.0’s analysis of Facebook’s business model shows that the social networking giant may need to turn to communications for much needed new revenues. (October 2010)

The Impact of Netflix: Can Telcos Help Hollywood?: As Apple’s business model transformed digital music, the success of Netflix’s subscription business model is changing the dynamics of the Film and TV industry. We examine how telcos can help Hollywood with online distribution to survive and thrive in these turbulent times. (April 2010)

How Google's Chief Magician Stole the Show: In his keynote address at Mobile World Congress, Dr. Eric Schmidt, Google's CEO, told the telecoms industry exactly which parts of their lunch Google will eat, while simultaneously appeared to offer peace. Our analysis of what he said and didn't say. (Feb 2010)

Apple iPad: Business Model Analysis: Summary: What is the true significance of the iPad? A 'solution in search of a problem' or a ‘revolution in a tablet’? An analysis of Apple's strategy and business model, as it relates to digital publishing and the dangers for telcos. (February 2010)

'Demolition Derby' for Smartphones in 2010: 'Hyper-competition' in the mobile handset market, particularly in 'smartphones', will drive growth in 2010, but also emaciate profits for the majority of manufacturers. Predicted winners, losers and other consequences from Telco 2.0 partners Arete Research. (December 2009)

ITU World 2009: Telecoms too important to leave to Telcos?: Government imperatives around economic growth, climate change, healthcare and education may be superseding concerns about "the market". Telcos may face a future in which they are smaller fish in a larger ‘ICT' sea. (November 2009)

Amazon 2.0: Four Levels of Strategic Business Model Transformation: Amazon's stock continues to beat the bull market. Its success is based on a four level transformation to a ‘two-sided' strategy. What are the lessons for would-be platform players, including fledgling ‘Telco2.0s' and software platform owners? (November 2009, Foundation 2.0)

Google: Where to cooperate? Where to compete?: Our new Executive Briefing report analysing Google's strategy includes recommendations of how service providers can plan ‘coopetition’ with this very important player. (November 2009)

QQ: China's Monster 'Facebook' - on a screen near you soon: An analysis of QQ.com - a profitable Chinese social networking and instant messaging service with 1 billion usernames, 75 million peak concurrent users, and plans to grow beyond China. (October 2009)

ESPN: Making ‘pay-for-content’ work – a telco opportunity: The sports network ESPN is a master of the paid content business model, building platform scale and success using premium content. What are the lessons from ESPN’s US and UK strategies for other service providers and content distributors? (September 2009)

Google Voice: one of the key battlegrounds for Telcos: Google Voice, managing Customer Data, and Location Services will be among the key battlegrounds where Telcos' emerging business models and Google are likely to clash, according to a new Telco 2.0 Briefing to be published in October. It is previewed here. (September 2009)

Twitt-o-nomics: How will Twitter make money?: Twitter's business model seems to be the familiar - "Web 2.0 Flip" - build an audience and sell to someone who thinks they can monetize it. There are key lessons to be learnt from Twitter for Telcos and other service providers. (July 2009)

Google - How (precisely) it profits from YouTube: New analysis demonstrates how YouTube contributes to Google's position and power in the 'Digital Economy' and what this means for telcos' online video strategies. (June 2009)

Nokia's Strange Services Strategy - Lessons from Apple iPhone and RIM: An analysis of Nokia's 10 year services strategy in the light of Apple and RIM's successes. (May 2009)

Google's Complex Execution of Simple Two-Sided Business Model Strategies: Analysis of the combination of classic 2-Sided Business Model strategies used by Google. (April 2009)

Google anchors its carrier off the coast of Telcoland: Why is Google bothering with nonexclusive radio spectrum - and offering to sublicence it for public access? (July 2007)