A 4G Wireless World
The world of wireless and mobile communications is on the verge of a new revolution–a 4G wireless broadband revolution. But the blazing super fast speed offered by 4G systems (100Mbps and faster) is not the “Che Guevara” in the revolutionary world of 4G technology. Companies that produce content running at 4G speeds are the future of mobile communications.
Think of it this way. Carriers or operators are the conduits (the “pipes” in Internet terms) and handset manufacturers the “appliances,” similar to utility companies delivering electricity, gas and water and appliance manufacturers producing refrigerators, furnaces and dishwashers.
Light bulbs only work when electricity causes their filaments to activate. Lawn sprinklers are literally “dead in the water” without water. And gas stoves won’t heat anything without natural gas. Similarly, carriers like utilities, connect wireless devices, such as mobile phones, to communication networks. That’s all they do.
A 100 watt light bulb is brighter than a 60 watt one and requires more juice. If you have a larger front lawn, you need more powerful sprinklers and H2O. Likewise, heating and cooking using a larger frying pan requires more gas. But none of these devices contain “content” or information. They’re just appliances that produce light, keep grass green and cook a meal.
On the other hand, your television, radio, mobile phone, mp3 player and Sony Play Station are different. They deliver audio and video programs. These multimedia devices aren’t “appliances” in the same way as a fridge, furnace or dishwasher. Yes, they require electric power to work. But their value is the multimedia content they offer. Imagine turning on your television without a cable, satellite and fiber optic connection or using a smartphone without a mobile Internet connection. No content. No information. They become appliances.
This simple distinction between a washer and a smartphone is not trivial at all. As I write these words, thousands of content producers–broadcasters, cable, media, Internet and other companies–are planning and producing content for the new age of 4G wireless devices: smartphones, e-readers, tablet computers and digital video players.
Apple is an excellent example of integrating new technologies with market demand for content. Its new tablet computer, released soon, will distribute “old media” through a device connected to the Internet.
Steve Jobs, who has proven over-and-over his marketing savvy, is re-packaging and delivering multimedia content obtained from sources in the music and movie industries. The Apple Slate, competing with Amazon’s Kindle and Netflix/Roku’s digital video player, will make it easier for consumers to find and view desired content. In a 4G world, which is just around the corner, the product could dominate in a world of wireless devices.
Imagine a world of wireless, 4G provisioned devices, operating with processors faster than the most powerful computers today connected to wireless home networks which, in turn, download and upload media content from powerful servers exchanging data by the terabyte. How will these technological changes impact your business and personal lives?
While carriers and other wireless broadband companies race to launch 4G services worldwide, those who produce or own content and information services will profit the most. That’s why wireless carriers and cable and satellite companies are quickly acquiring content producers as each prepares for the new world of 4G.
