The Wireless Message
by , editor @Redherring

Every time I write about WAP (wireless application protocol), I get emails that say, "WAP isn't dead!" Oddly, I haven't said it is. Maybe I should.

Outside Japan, the killer app for wireless data on cell phones this year will not be access to content. Instead, to the extent that people will use wireless data, the driver will be communication -- messaging. So forget WAP and pay attention to SMS (short message service). Just as email is bigger than the Web on PCs, SMS is much bigger than WAP on cell phones. I've heard that 9 billion SMS messages were sent in August 2000 alone.
SMS messages, by the way, are not free. So even at fractions of a penny per message, the amount of content being transmitted via SMS makes for a nice market.

The business here is to provide SMS services to those companies -- portals and telcos -- that resell SMS messaging to consumers. There are still only a few companies in this space, like Quios, which already has portal customers (Excite France, for one). Competitors include Iobox, Red Message, and Myalert.

The current volume, and the growth, in SMS communication almost guarantees a healthy and entertaining battle among SMS infrastructure plays in 2001.

- Rafe Needleman, Editor, http://www.redherring.com

• Note: Fields with bold titles are required.
• Please try to keep posts on topic.
• Try to reply to other people comments instead of starting new threads,
• Read other people's messages before posting your own to avoid simply duplicating what has already been said.
• Use a clear subject that describes what your message is about.
• Please do not post offtopic, inflammatory, inappropriate, illegal, or offensive comments. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned.