Text messaging to remain dominant in near future, evolve with new capabilities

WAKEFIELD, USA: Text messaging (SMS) will continue its dominance in the messaging arena for the foreseeable future and will evolve with additional features over the next three to five years, according to leading global research and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan in a report exclusively licensed to Comverse.

This evolutionary — rather than revolutionary — path will usher in text messaging with contextual presence and location information, as well as a unified identity for messaging that provides an user’s status, personal information, updates and messages in one user interface.

“SMS’s massive success and staying power give the industry valuable insight into its transition to next-generation messaging,” said Ronald Gruia, Principal Telecom Analyst for Frost & Sullivan, which conducted interviews with 18 leading telecom providers across major global regions and with strategic industry professionals.

“Simple accessibility, ubiquitous network interoperability, ease of use, affordability and price predictability for text messaging,” Gruia said, “are key guideposts as the industry evolves new messaging paradigms and migrates to next-generation networks.”

As the number of annual text messages nears four trillion globally, operators are concerned about avoiding commoditization, enhancing profitability, capitalizing on new capabilities, such as the Rich Communication Suite Initiative, and curbing potential competition from handset and Web companies.

“In-depth market research is an important tool employed by Comverse to help operators maximize revenues today and prepare for the future of messaging,” said Gabriel Matsliach, President of Products and Operations at Comverse, the world's leading supplier of software and systems enabling value-added messaging and content services, converged billing and active customer management, and IP communications.

“As the largest generator of mobile revenues after voice, messaging holds enormous potential for operators. With its steady focus on cost efficiency, growth enablement and innovation, Comverse is closely aligned with the study’s recommendations, making messaging smarter and leaner, positioning operators to unleash the growing value of messaging and other Comverse HUB Value-Added Services,” Matsliach said.

Comverse HUB Value-Added Services spans voice, messaging, mobile Internet and mobile advertising. Comverse HUB is a synergistic framework that enables service providers to maximize their business performance and augment their position in the market.