MMS Interoperability Still a Problem - Report

Mobixell Networks analysis finds that up to 20% of MMS messages sent may encounter interoperability problems. According to recent market surveys, among them a study by Juniper Research, the global Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) market will reach $42.5 billion in 2005. Yet so far, MMS has failed to deliver on promise for many of its users and its potential to enrich mobile communications has not been realized."

These surveys found that although providers are seeing significant growth in MMS usage, MMS has so far failed to deliver on its revenue promise - specifically, due to problems of handset compatibility and interoperability.

A new study by Mobixell revealed that the picture is even more dramatic. Mobixell's findings indicate that companies not implementing media adaptation solutions stand to lose up to $6 billion in lost MMS revenues. Further key findings included especially high rates - up to 20% - of MMS message delivery failure due to interoperability problems.

In order to quantify the percentage of MMS revenues lost, Mobixell analyzed terminal-to-terminal test results, weighted according to traffic behavior in several leading mobile provider networks. This analysis conclusively shows lower MMS revenues due to interoperability issues.

"Simply put," said Samuel Keret, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development of Mobixell Networks, "if an MMS message is not delivered successfully, the mobile provider not only earns nothing - but also actually loses money in slower network infrastructure Return on Investment, increased calls from dissatisfied users to call centers, and overall lower customer satisfaction. The study we conducted definitively shows that about 20% of MMS messages are at risk of delivery failure - and thus 20% of potential MMS revenues are at risk."

Posted to the site on 24th January 2005