This thread pertains to the importance of relationships between different types of players in the mobile phone industry in India, in particular:
-- mobile phone/handset manufacturers
-- carriers/service providers (for phone & internet) and
-- developers of software applications, carried natively on handsets in India
In the US, the carrier-device manufacturer relationship is very important. Mobile phones are always sold along with a service plan from a provider. For example, Verizon Wireless can have considerable influence on what kind of native applications they want on a mobile phone that (say) Samsung wants to sell in the US to Verizon subscribers.
In India, this duo (device maker-service provider) is considerably more decoupled.
So then, when a software outfit seeks to develop mobile applications for use in India, who matters more to them from the viewpoint of business development: is it the carrier (e.g., Airtel) or the device manufacturer (e.g., Samsung)? Are there any generalities here? Specific experiences, anyone?
Cheers,
Pat
-- mobile phone/handset manufacturers
-- carriers/service providers (for phone & internet) and
-- developers of software applications, carried natively on handsets in India
In the US, the carrier-device manufacturer relationship is very important. Mobile phones are always sold along with a service plan from a provider. For example, Verizon Wireless can have considerable influence on what kind of native applications they want on a mobile phone that (say) Samsung wants to sell in the US to Verizon subscribers.
In India, this duo (device maker-service provider) is considerably more decoupled.
So then, when a software outfit seeks to develop mobile applications for use in India, who matters more to them from the viewpoint of business development: is it the carrier (e.g., Airtel) or the device manufacturer (e.g., Samsung)? Are there any generalities here? Specific experiences, anyone?
Cheers,
Pat