App Watch: Connecting People After Japan Quake

Kakao Talk is a South Korean mobile instant messaging application. This company was launched in March last year, and already has 9 million users worldwide. Including 1 million in Japan.

It currently supports 3 languages: Korean, English, Japanese. The messages are sent over third-generation such as 3G/(now 4G) and WiFi networks, that's why users don't need a messaging contract. This charge-free social networking service application had become very popular over the past year. Currently the free application can be downloaded by iPhone and Android phone users but they are developing an application for Blackberry smartphones. This application has being very useful specially when the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan. The telecommunication systems were devastated and a lot of people weren't able to communicate with them families/friends to check on them and see if they were alive. Many people used Kakao Talk and received answers back.

I think that this application will spread even more after it reaches blackberrys and smartphones. And the fact that the company is adding services as the one that allows users to send gift coupons to their friends, will draw in more users.

http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2011/03/30/app-watch-connecting-people-after-japan-quake/?KEYWORDS=telecommunication

Sapir

Information Interview Blog7

Since I interviewed a Chinese company, I'd like to share some goals or aim that the Chinese telecom industry is seeking to achieve in the near future. Hope you all will enjoy it!

In my Information Interview, I interviewed one of the leading companies in the Chinese telecommunications industry. SI SEMICONDUCTORS CO., LTD. (SISEMI) is one of the largest High-Tech power semiconductors manufacturers founded in 1988 in Shenzhen, China. They own and operate 4" & 5" semiconductor wafers and devices production lines. The products of SISEMI fall in to four main categories: Bipolar Power Transistors, MOSFET, Schottky Diodes, Variable Capacitance Diode. These products contribute to the telecom industry because it provides the inner parts of the phone.

Mr. Hu Hai, is the CEO and one of the shareholders of the SISEMI company. He said in the next few years, the best investment opportunities in the industry is Chip designing, innovations in operating systems, Contour industrial design, improved customer service and the so-called Three Network Fusions (Telephone, Television, and Personal Computers). He also pointed out the main reasons for the emergence of these new investment opportunities:

1. China’s rapid economic growth is increasing people’s demand for new goods, services and technology.

2. The Chinese consumer’s consumptive psychology will lead to greater profits in the future for the telecom industry.

3. The changes in the lifecycle of small businesses and companies in China are also one of the investment opportunities.

The sign or the designing department is seen as one of the most prospective departments in the telecom business because attracting and capturing the customer’s tastes and preferences are crucial. The interior design of mobile phones also has a great influence in the sales in the telecom markets. Moreover, customer service is also an important part of the industry. Providing a better-quality service is one of the best ways to promote the sales of the product.

Mr. Hu’s responsibilities are brand promotion, maintaining channels with other companies in the market to practice different partnership experiences, and to monitor and operate the company. The skills or responsibilities he is looking for in potential candidates are enthusiasm for work, sense of duty, responsibility, diligence and self-confidence in taking leadership. For new employees, there are special training programs for them to participate and learn about the consumer trend in taste and preferences or consumptive psychology in order to fully understand the need for goods.

Miki

Blog- Accounting and Financing

            This chart exemplifies how the telecommunications industry has changed since 1984.  In 1982 AT&T had to break up its company since it had a monopoly over the telecommunications industry. In an anti-trust suit the deal was for them to end their monopoly.

            In 1984 there are six larger telecom companies that are offering services to the public. Over many years each company was purchased or merged or acquiesced by other companies, which lead to the leading five-telecommunication companies, with four main wireless companies. Ultimately there are 24 million AT&T users, Verizon: 26 million, T-Mobile: 34 million, Sprint: 50 million users. This proves how large the wireless industry is with a total of 134 million users in the United States. Worldwide this industry continues to grow as the world develops. The wireless telecom industry will continue to expand; however, the wire line telecom industry may face serious challenges in 2011. This is because more people are moving to use wireless cellular services. AT&T has 96 million users, Verizon 94 million users and Century link 15 million users. This totals to 205 million users in the United States, which is larger than the wireless industry. The wire line phone services decreased during the recession because people had to choose what is absolutely necessary if they were severely affected by the recession. In most cases a family would choose to pay their wireless cell phone bill over a home phone since a cell phone is believed to be more useful. I wonder since the economy is getting better if people will once again purchase wire line home phone services or will be content with just their cell phone. I also am curious if the wire line companies will continue to bundle deals with the usage of a faster Internet service as well as television services. With these bundled deals people will want to purchase their products because it seems as if they are getting a lot for their money.

            The wireless industry might see serious changes if a new merger goes through the government. AT&T wants to purchase T-Mobile for $39 billion dollars. If this deal goes through then AT&T will control 40% of the U.S. wireless market. I wonder if the government will approve this deal. I also am curious to what affects it will have on the economy. I am not sure if T-Mobile customers would stay with AT&T or if they would switch over to Verizon. I think if AT&T buys T-Mobile than the telecommunication industry with AT&T and Verizon competition will increase and Verizon will have to work harder to catch up with AT&T for customers. They will also be more competitive for deals right after the merger, because I believe Verizon is going to try to take customers from AT&T and T-Mobile. However, I know some phone plans might force people to stay with AT&T for a certain amount of time until their cellular phone plan expires.

-rachel

http://blogs.wsj.com/deals/2011/03/29/a-tangled-family-tree-how-att-became-att/?KEYWORDS=telecommunication+industry

DIGITAL WALLET

            It is shocking to me that one day soon it will be possible to make purchases through our cellular phones. This article discusses how North American phone companies such as Verizon and AT&T are discussing with Research in Motion (RIM) to create digital wallets. At first they wanted to use the SIM card in AT&T smartphones to make payments, then they realized it is easy to switch a SIM card with another smartphone. Verizon didn’t have the possible to use a SIM card because they use another technology called CDMA. Nevertheless, they are considering switching over to the technology server that AT&T uses. RIM wants to place this card where it will be non-removable and then allow purchases as well as a tracking system.

            The article states how stores will have a specific device that you have to use to be able to pay. I wonder how much money this device will cost. It is stated that it will be possible to pay at places like Subway and even a Taxi cab. I wonder how you can do a tip for a taxi with the phone payment method.

             RIM refuses to discuss their mobile-payment strategy in details. I assume this is to prevent competitors from stealing their ideas. RIM is reaching out to banks to get first-mover advantage. They are specifically working with MasterCard and Bank of America to allow customers in New York to make purchases through their blackberry’s.

             Right now RIM does have competition with Google since they are looking to make partnerships with Verifone. Other global companies are also looking further into mobile payment methods. I can see this technology coming out in smartphones within the next two years. I fear that people may not trust paying with their cell phones at first. But I believe over time it will become successful.

-Rachel

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704360404576206412989185134.html?KEYWORDS=telecommunications

Earthquake Disrupts Hong Kong’s Internet

Internet users in Hong- Kong are experiencing slow speed loading web pages. Especially, the people who work online are the most affected. The 8.9 earthquake in Japan affected several submarine cables, that is the main cause of this disadvantage. Also, internet traffic to some international destination like the U.S is being affected. Hong- kong users are experiencing slow internet speed when visiting US websites due to damage cables that land in Japan. In a few weeks the damage cables will be repaired. The PCCW Ltd. broadband internet company didn't provide much information, just said that " customer may experience slower response than normal." If this issue is not fixed soon, it could affect problems with long distance roaming calls as well as internet service, as it happened in 2006 with the 7.1 earthquake in Taiwan.

Sapir

http://blogs.wsj.com/hong-kong/2011/03/14/earthquake-disrupts-hong-kongs-internet/?KEYWORDS=telecommunication

“Nuclear Radiation threatens Japan and the World”

Blog Assignment 6

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704893604576199952421569210.html

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704662604576202341130872836.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLETopStories

Followed by the massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan, many have raised serious concerns about the nuclear radiation level in Fukushima, Japan. While this unpredictable disaster happened on Friday March 11, Japan has putting efforts to save the lives of the survivors; "The Japanese Red Cross Society is committed to rescue any victims, including those of nuclear radiation," JRCS spokesman Mutsuhiko Owaki said. The local media reports an estimate of about 2,800 people injured and missing. Though Japanese firefighters are engaged in relief operations, there are short with the number of rescuers. On top of the relief operations, Japanese firefighters are in the fear of nuclear radiation leaks.

Although the Japanese relief teams are fairly experienced in dealing with quake-related disasters, none anticipated having to deal with a radiation crisis. Because Japan is an island surrounded by both the Pacific Ocean and the Japan Sea, earthquakes and tsunamis are frequent occasions. However, this disaster has caused serious damages not only politically and economically; it will be a difficult challenge for Japan to recover from its losses.

Moreover, Japan's disrupted supply networks are causing concerns about component costs and product shortages that global technology companies may face; while Internet users in Hong Kong may experience slow Internet speeds for several weeks due to damaged underseas cables. About half of the existing cables running across the Pacific Ocean are damaged and "a lot of people are feeling a little bit of slowing down of Internet traffic going to the United States," said Bill Barney, chief executive of Hong Kong-based cable-network operator Pacnet. Not only the Internet speed is slowing down, but also communication services have showing some troubles.

The disaster has added more burdens on the shoulders of the Japanese government. In comparison to the major earthquake that occurred in Hanshin in 1992, economic recovery will not be as easier. Further foreign investments in the Japanese economy are necessary for economic recovery. In addition, Japan will face difficulties in increasing its national output and income under this circumstance. In other words, Japan will experience a negative growth due to cost-push inflation in the long-run; the increase in the import prices and commodity prices will lead to a decrease in the aggregate supply, causing inflation.

As a part of the Japan, I hope everyone will be safe and be rescued on time. Follow the Quake Live Blog on CNN to stay updated on the crisis!

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/15/japan-quake-live-blog-fire-erupts-in-fourth-reactor-radiation-warning-issued/

Miki

Informational Interview

Hi guys!
I hope everyone had a great spring break. So last Friday I spoke with Rick Albuck, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing from Consumer Technology Publishing. It was a successful informational interview and very informative. I attached below the answers in bullet format to my questions. But the most interesting part of our conversation was about the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is a yearly held show where telecommunication industries can showcase their new techonologies for the coming year. Since Mr. Albuck does not work directly in the telecommunication industry some of the answers are not in as much detail as much as I would have liked but I got a very interesting perspective from his marketing point of view.
-Rachel


 

1. Where do you most see growth in the telecommunications industry?

            -Handset Market

2. What are some of your responsibilities in your position as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing?

            -Publish magazines about consumer technology

            -Official publisher for consumer eclectic show (which is the largest trade show in             North America)

3. What types of entry-levels positions does Consumer Technology Publishing Group offer?

            -Analyst

            -Editorial assistants

            -Researchers

            -Associate editors

4. What skill sets do you look for potential candidates?

            -Driven

            -Entrepreneurial spirit

            -Works well with others

            -Creative in a team environment

            -4-year college degree

            -Editor and chief position it is required to obtain a masters degree in journalism

5. Are there particular jobs you’ve seen an increase or decrease in the recent years? What is the cause?

            -Consumer Technology Publishing Group has been conciliating job positions. For example writers now have to write for multiple titles. This allows the company to save money in order to remain in business.

            -Mr. Albuck also mentioned how a lot of the changes in most companies recently are due to the economic recession. But also mentioned how things now are looking brighter for the job market and sees it continuing to grow closer to normal in the next five years.

6. What employment trends to you see in your industry over the next five years? Are you hiring more?

            -Mr. Albuck said he sees opportunities within vertical markets to expand in the next five years.           

            -He also believes in the next five years Consumer Technology Publishing Group will begin to hire more workers once again. This is starting to happen now but to get to the peak once again it is going to take another 3-5 years

            -Mr. Albuck also mentioned that the company has begun to outsource their design work to India since it is scientifically cheaper overseas. He also mentioned how a lot of companies use outsourcing as a method to save money.

7. How do companies in your industry differentiate themselves?

            -Innovative design

            -Marketing

            -Pricing

            -Advertising: specifically advertisement campaigns

In addition to the questions given I asked more based upon our conversation:

1. How has the consumer electronic show changed from the decline in the economy?

            -This year showed signs of re-growth from previous years, which is a sign that the economy is getting better.

            -Companies can show a sign of strength in the electronic show by spending more money in their booths and products. Spending more money gives people the needed confidence to work with a company, because it gives the impression that the company is not hurting from the economy. Also, it is natural for people to be drawn to the bigger booths so the bigger booth will attract more visitors. This theory goes with the concept that you need to spend money to make money.

2. What changes do you see in the telecommunications industry happening today and in the future?

-Growth on international side of the business

-New formats will be coming out with more carriers working with the 4G Network

-Consumers will continue to want to always have the latest and greatest devices

-Additional revenue opportunities for the accessories of the handsets

                        -Bluetooth

                        -Screen protectors

                        -Cases

                        -APPS

-Carriers might merge

                        -For example: T-mobile and sprit may make a merger in the near future