| With the advancement in mobile technology, mobile | | | | The latest technology is quite capable to handle large |
| networks are trying to push instant messaging a step | | | | amounts of data. Technology therefore is no longer |
| further. | | | | an obstacle to the IM revolution. |
| The Internet and Java enabled mobile devices make | | | | The splits between the operators of the online IM |
| Mobile Instant Messaging a reality. Fifteen networks | | | | networks was however a big problem. They are now |
| have decided to work together to make it easy to | | | | slowly starting to link to each other. |
| IM across networks. | | | | The mobile operators have learnt that they should |
| The success of IM on the net has motivated mobile | | | | start exchanging information among themselves. |
| networks to get it working on mobiles as well. People | | | | 700 million mobile phone users have agreed to use a |
| are now using mobiles to send IM rather than a PC | | | | single standard for IM, which would work across |
| and the operators are convinced that they can gain | | | | networks. |
| good revenues for data services. The operators are | | | | Later this year, the operators are looking to launch |
| hopeful that instant messaging will repeat the success | | | | instant messaging mobile services. It was reported |
| of text messaging, as more and more people will | | | | that to make IM conversations easy to follow, some |
| start using IM for their day-to-day communication. | | | | work is still needed. |
| According to the Mobile Data Association, British | | | | Instead of arranging messages by when they arrive, |
| mobile users sent 3.1 billion text messages in | | | | it would be far better to arrange them by both |
| December alone, which helped the operators make | | | | conversational thread and time. |
| good money. | | | | One more problem that needs consideration is that |
| With the coming of third generation mobile networks, | | | | IM conversations are often between large groups of |
| IM has received a smother acceptance by a large | | | | people rather than one-to-one like text messages. |
| number of users. Because of improved bandwidth | | | | Another cause of concern for operators is the fear |
| and reduced latency, now you can use IM's in a more | | | | that committing to IM could weaken their brand. No |
| suitable way. The 3G networks can carry more data | | | | operator wants to give away too much control to |
| and transfer it faster making it easy to message | | | | net-based IM operators, as they may become their |
| instantly. IM conversations involve a faster exchange | | | | competitors in the near future. |
| of messages than text messages, thus ensuring that | | | | Operators still have a huge control over price and |
| you enjoy an experience similar to that available as | | | | user conditions. But within 2-3 years, operators would |
| online chat. | | | | not be able to control that anymore. |