Open and Multi-player Innovation Model to Redefine Smart Mobile Market in Europe

Changing consumer attitudes are driving the trend towards intelligent mobile devices with high-quality multimedia capabilities. Accordingly, the innovation process behind the evolution of mobile devices is changing from an industry-based model to an open innovation model, where the exchange process has become a web of interactions among different participants: mobile manufacturers, mobile operators, and other related participants, new entrants from other segments, consumers, open source community, industrial designers and policy bodies.

“The European mobile communications market is becoming smarter,” notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Saverio Romeo. “The penetration of mobile smart devices in Europe passed the 10 per cent mark at the end of 2006, demonstrating that European users are looking for an intelligent and multimedia-rich mobile experience.”

At the end of 2006, the number of mobile smart devices shipped in Europe stood at 26 million. This number is projected to increase over the period 2007 to 2012, reaching almost 100 million units at the end of 2012. Changing consumption patterns that embrace the more active usage of mobile phones will propel this growth. Consumers want devices that can be personalised and offer several functionalities: voice, messaging, social networking and multimedia services.

To satisfy such new consumer requirements, mobile smart devices have to improve their user interface. This includes sophisticated technologies to enhance screen quality, keyboard usability, fast connectivity, computational capacity and long battery life. All this requires significant investments in R&D. However, several industry participants are also facing this challenge because it is the only way to be competitive in a market targeted by new entrants such as Apple and Google.

“The mobile smart devices market is becoming increasingly complex: it comprises not only mobile device manufacturers, mobile operators and mobile content providers, but several new participants as well,” elaborates Romeo. “During 2007, Apple clearly stated its interest in the market by launching the iPhone. Google spotlighted the open source community for mobile devices, with the launch of Android.”

The current high levels of competition require at least two strategic responses. The first centres on the need for creativity and innovation. This can be achieved through strategic partnerships with diverse participants ranging from mobile device manufacturers to industrial designers going through open source community. The second response should focus on building a new relationship with consumers; they should be regarded not merely as customers, but inventors of new usages, and, consequently, a crucial part of the innovation chain.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview of the European market for mobile smart devices, then send an e-mail to Joanna Lewandowska, Corporate Communications, at joanna.lewandowska {at} frost(.)com, with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company e-mail address, company website, city, state and country. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you by e-mail.

Exploring the European Market for Mobile Smart Devices is part of the Mobile and Wireless Growth Partnership Service programme, which also includes research in the following markets: Mobile Virtual Network Operators; Emerging Participants in the European Mobile Market; European Wireless E-mail Market; European Femtocells Markets – A Strategic Analysis; South African Mobile Content Markets; Mobile WiMAX, xMAX and 3G LTE – Analysis of Mobile Broadband Technologies. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews with the press are available.

Frost & Sullivan, the Global Growth Consulting Company, partners with clients to accelerate their growth. The company’s Growth Partnership Services, Growth Consulting and Career Best Practices empower clients to create a growth focused culture that generates, evaluates and implements effective growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan employs over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 30 offices on six continents. For more information about Frost & Sullivan’s Growth Partnerships, visit http://www.frost.com.

Exploring the European Market for Mobile Smart Devices

M1BA-65

Contacts

Frost & Sullivan
Joanna Lewandowska, +48 22 390 41 46
Corporate Communications – Europe
joanna.lewandowska {at} frost(.)com
or
Mireya Castilla, 210.247.3830
Corporate Communications – North America
F: 210.348.1003
mireya.castilla {at} frost(.)com
or
Sarah Lourdes, +603 6204 5878
Corporate Communications – Southeast Asia
F: +603 6201 7402
sarah.lourdes {at} frost(.)com
or
Caroline Lewis, +91.22.4001 3438
Corporate Communications – South Asia
F: +91.22.2832 4713
caroline.lewis {at} frost(.)com
or
Nimisha Iyer, +91 22 4001 3404
Corporate Communications – Middle East
F: +91 22 2832 4713
niyer {at} frost(.)com
or
Amelia Wong, P: +86 21 5407 5783 Ext 8669
Corporate Communications – China
M: +86 13621724823
amelia.wong {at} frost(.)com
or
Patrick Cairns, +27 18 468 2315
Corporate Communications – Africa
patrick.cairns {at} frost(.)com
or
José María Jantus, + 54-11-4777-9951
Corporate Communications – Latin America
F: + 54-11-4777-0071
jose.jantus {at} frost(.)com
or
Sharmin Jassal, +61 2 8247 8900
Corporate Communications – Australia & New Zealand
F: +61 2 9252 8066
sharmin.jassal {at} frost(.)com
http://www.frost.com