Assessing Critical Mass for Mobile Applications

August 20, 2008

I was reading uber telecom/broadband industry blogger Om Malik’s article on how undersea network cables are much akin to the sea-lanes from the 1400-1800s in the sense that they signalled future economic hotspots and trends. While that’s not an incredibly prescient correlation, it is true.

Another interesting global correlation would be to have an interactive Google Maplet with custom layers.

• It would let the user review global cell/mobile phone network coverage areas, obviously this would overlap, so each provider should be a layer you can toggle.

• Offer the user a list of available network types. By this I mean – 2.5G/3G/3.5G/LTE/WiMAX. This should be a decent indicator of how evolved the network setup is within a given locale and its ability to broadcast location-based services.

• If one also correlated cell/mobiles sales information then not only would one get an indicator of network capability but device maturity as well. I am sure this information is available on a domestic basis in the major regions. Many high-end phones in a region with old network infra or vice-versa is not a high-traction environment for LBS or Mobile services of any kind.

• Another layer would be the same global approach – but instead of cell/mobile networks, this would cover the fiber running domestically within borders. I have no idea if there is a service that offers this information visually. If you take India for example, it would be advantageous to get a 10,000ft view of what current & planned fiber is being laid.

By having the above data regularly updated and visually represented, we not only cover the sea-lanes which indicate global perception & sentiment, but also identify fiber/wireless explosions in areas like Africa and rural India. Then not only will we see the digital sea-lanes, but the interstates & airways too.

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