fixed-mobile services recently launched on the market, according to a survey by Telecompaper.
The market research report “Fixed Mobile Substitution and Fixed Mobile convergence in the Dutch consumer market” provides information about interest and buying intentions for FMS and FMC convergence concepts.
Recently, several Dutch operators launched FMS and FMC products such as 'T-Mobile Thuis', 'Vodafone Blox', and 'Oranqe Unique'.
The survey shows that most mobile phone users (56 percent) are (very) interested in an FMS service that offers lower call tariffs when calling at home with their mobile phone. Post-paid customers who pay the monthly bill themselves show the most interest, and pre-paid customers are least interested in such services.
However, interest in this service diminishes when customers have to pay for the service, and when it is only available in combination with a post-paid subscription. T-Mobile Netherlands offers 'T-Mobile Thuis', which offers mobile calls made from home to fixed lines at the same rates as a fixed-line phone.
Even less interest and a lower buying intention were shown for an FMS service like the one currently offered by Vodafone: 'Vodafone Blox', which offers unlimited calls to domestic fixed lines. The main problem for consumers is the price: respondents found EUR 20 per month for the service too much. An FMC concept like 'Unique', Orange's converged service using broadband and Wi-Fi for VoIP calls in the home and mobile networks outside the home, generated the most
interest and the highest buying intention from consumers. Although the FMC service theoretically generates the highest buying intention, this service is subject to a limited handset range. Orange’s FMC service is currently only available with two handsets.
From past introductions like i-mode and Vodafone live! it is known that limited handset choices, limits the uptake of the service.
Source: Telecompaper
