The Mobile Data Association

25th March 2009. The Mobile Data Association (MDA) has committed to create an event platform to allow the mobile industry to forge closer working relationships with the operators. 

This was the key commitment to emerge from the MDA’s recent Analyst event, which asked how the mobile market will thrive during the downturn.

Bringing together many of the mobile industry’s most respected industry analysts at London’s City University, the event reflected a demand from mobile players for improved access to the gatekeepers of the mobile industry: the mobile network operators.

The request was echoed in the sentiments of the analysts, who said that enhanced integration and collaboration would ultimately create better opportunities and help to grow the industry. 

Subsequently, the MDA has pledged to devise a meaningful stage for its members to work closely together with each other and other key industry stakeholders such as the operators. 

A highlight of the MDA calendar, the Analyst event is a proven attraction to mobile business leaders keen to hear the informed, research-led opinion of those charged with assessing what’s next for mobile.

Analyst summaries:

• Paul Lee from Deloitte presented a realistic but stark economic outlook for the ICT industry, posing the question; 'Is anyone too big for the bin?' His research highlighted the challenges the mobile industry faces in the coming 18 months, providing indicators for achieving growth by looking at lessons learnt from past recessions. 
• Rob Bamforth, principal analyst at Quocirca, provided an assessment of the growth and adoption of mobile broadband in the enterprise landscape, suggesting that while mass adoption was achievable, much greater focus was required around cost, coverage and speed.
• CCS Insight’s Paolo Pescatore reviewed the mobile entertainment landscape, examining the shift in mobile operator revenues, highlighting the impact MMS, general messaging and data was having on the traditional dominance of voice.
• Visiongain’s Julian Pasin delivered the business outlook for the internet on mobile.  His findings demonstrated the impact the iPhone and Safari browsers are having on driving mobile web access.
• Shailendra Pandey, Senior Research Analyst, Informa Telecoms & Media provided research on the Mobile Payments sector; examining the current market, scope of services, business models and future opportunities. 

The event was rounded off with an interactive panel session chaired by

Helen Keegan of Beep Marketing and The Women in Mobile Data Association.

Speaking about the event, MDA Chairman, Steve Reynolds, said:  "While predicting future development is always challenging, the considered analyst insight and challenging questions from the floor combined to make the event a great success.  Talk of green shoots was tempered by a need for all points in the mobile value chain to work together. 

"On the evidence of this event, the mobile industry is in good shape and well positioned to continue to grow, but a commitment to innovation in everything we do is essential." 

- ENDS-