EC links lower smartphone take-up to higher data prices
A new survey by the European Commission says lower penetration of smartphones is a feature of many countries where subscribers limit time spent on the mobile internet because of concerns about charges.
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The survey points to Hungary, which has 35 per cent smartphone penetration, as well as Portugal (58 per cent), Greece (53 per cent), Cyprus (52 per cent), Belgium (47 per cent) and Romania 45 (per cent) as an examples of this trend.
In contrast, the countries with the higher smartphone penetration include Sweden, Denmark, the UK, Finland, France and the Netherlands.
The survey also points to other consumer fears around pricing. It says more than half of EU citizens limit calls from the mobile phone to national (55 per cent) and international (54 per cent) numbers because of cost concerns.
And in some EU countries, the figure is even higher for limiting mobile calls to national numbers. The proportion of Greek consumers placing a limit on their calling is 81 per cent. Portugal (79 per cent), Ireland (72 per cent) and Romania (71 per cent) also feature highly.
Creating a single telecoms market to boost competition is a key part of the EC’s argument in favour of market reforms championed by Neelie Kroes, the EC’s digital chief.
Supporters say a more integrated market would boost competition and lower prices.GB/ MobileWorld
BlackBerry directors to explore “strategic alternatives”
BlackBerry said that it has formed a special committee to “explore strategic alternatives to enhance value and increase scale in order to accelerate BlackBerry 10 deployment”.
In a statement, the troubled smartphone maker said that this could include “possible joint ventures, strategic partnerships or alliances, a sale of the Company or other possible transactions”.
Timothy Dattels, who is chairing the group, said: “Given the importance and strength of our technology, and the evolving industry and competitive landscape, we believe that now is the right time to explore strategic alternatives.”
Following the launch of its first BlackBerry 10 devices earlier this year, the company has struggled to generate significant traction in the market in the face of fierce competition not only from the established leaders of Android and iOS, but also fellow smartphone pioneer Nokia with Microsoft’s Windows Phone.
By Graphic Business / Ghana
