By Mike Serbinis
When talking about mobile email, most people think of mobilizing the workforce, and for good reason. In an attempt to increase productivity and employee flexibility, mobile email has been a priority in the business world for some time now. Thanks to products like RIM's BlackBerry and the Palm Treo, staying connected to your office email -- anywhere, anytime -- has become a reality. And if you listen to the industry experts, it's only set to continue.
Technology research firm Strategy Analytics estimates the value of the mobile email market will reach $11 billion by 2007. Similarly, other industry research shows that the market will show rapid growth over the next five years, offering significant opportunities for wireless carriers and mobile infrastructure providers.
With this kind of growth, it's no surprise to see new players entering the mobile email arena. The surprising fact, however, is that most of them are pursuing the same professional mobile email users as RIM. A few are making good progress at wrestling customers away from the BlackBerry, but with consumer demand for data services growing at a much faster rate, it begs the question -- what about the rest of us?
Today, there are approximately 1.8 billion mobile phones in the world, which translates to roughly 600 mobile phones to every BlackBerry. And while corporate mobile email will continue to grow, the potential of a number like 1.8 billion makes it difficult for carriers to ignore. The mass market -- your aunt, your husband, or mom -- want email on the go too.
How consumers feel about mobile email
I work for a messaging solutions company called Critical Path. Recently, my company's marketing team engaged Ipsos-Reid to survey U.S. consumers on their feelings around mobile email. Results indicate that more than 40 million U.S. consumers want mobile email.
Furthermore, Richard Jesty, Senior Consultant, Informa Telecoms & Media commented: "We see the mobile consumer market offering great potential worldwide for an easy-to-use, affordable email system and our forecasts show around 500 million users by 2007."
Some vendors have taken notice and have started to promote mobile email for the mass market, but upon closer inspection, their solutions look more like repackaged enterprise services. When it comes to meeting mass-market demand for mobile email, smart carriers know that retrofitting solutions designed for professional users doesn't cut it.
