Unified Messaging Will Be A Killer: Maureen

Network Solutions Sectors senior vice-president and general manager (strategic marketing) Maureen Grezelakowski or Moe _ as she is popularly called _ has had a close association with India. Till a couple of years ago she worked with the $32 billion company's India office while she was heading the NSS business for India, Israel and Australia. She is now a key figure in Motorola's attempt of realising its vision of a communications architecture. She spoke to Siddartha in Barcelona on various aspects including the company's plans for India. Excerpts:

Q: How critical are Aspira and GPRSs success to Motorola?

A: Extremely critical. Every time you have a new technology, there is a new inflexion point that changes the landscape of competition. We are making sure that we try and do everything possible to take a lead in introducing new technologies to meet market needs.

 

Q: How much has Motorola invested in the development of Aspira?

A: That's difficult to say, because there are a number of elements like WAP and GPRS. But we have put in about three years of effort so far.

Q: When will Aspira be launched commercially?

A: Since it has a number of elements it is being done in different stages. The stage four is still three years away. We will be conducting trials on the second stage this summer and launch it commercially next summer, which will be the third stage and GPRS is stage one.

Q: So, you would have spent six years before you launch it finally?

A: Yes. It is all-encompassing with different elements in it the vision of the framework is there.

Q: And what about Bluetooth?

A: This year we will carry out experiments. It requires a tremendous amount of network management and management of the other surrounding environment for effective use. Initially, it will be for Palm and other hand-held devices but later it will be applicable to all gadgets. Also, the standards are still be finalised.

Q: What does the convergence of CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) and GSM (Global system for Mobile Communication) mean for the operator?

A: If the operator has multiple access that is legacy network, wireline, wireless, CDMA and GSM then they would like to put up the service because service access will be independent and there will be a complete platform.

For example, an e-commerce solution can be acceded from anywhere irrespective of whether there is CDMA or GSM. This is one of the nice things about Aspira also.

Unified messaging will be a Killer AP (application). Once it comes in, I don't have to check seven e-mails like I will do tonight because I am away from office. I will be able to check my office e-mail, fax, voice mail and my residence e-mail, voice mail, fax, everything at the same level on the common platform.

Q: When are you introducing GPRS in India?

A: By the year-end. We are talking to a few operators for the infrastructure and like most new features that come out in it will be launched in the metros.

Q: With so many new technologies coming in, there will an enormous amount of churn rate. What will be the response of operators?

A: The churn rate will be about 50 per cent, but that will not be the case in India till the operators hit the hockey stick growth path and there is an explosion in subscriber bases. Once India hits the hockey stick growth path the churn rate will be higher there as well.

As far as the operators response is concerned, BT saw it coming and they wanted to be the first.

The more service the operator provides the better it is for its customers. I don't think that the operators are really concerned they have to stay focused and offer different kinds of services.

Q: What about introducing IDEN (integrated Dispatch Enhanced Network) and other technologies like LMDS (Local Multipoint distribution system)in India?

A: The regulatory framework does not permit calls to terminate on PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) so I don't think it makes sense for the operators to start IDEN. LMDS is pretty shaky. The world has converged on the same spectrum to meet a specific need for a fixed broadband. If the Indian operator has the spectrum then we are open to it.

Q: What are the new India specific initiatives?

A: We are looking at the premium category with GPRS and Aspira. In the WiLL (Wireless in Local Loop) market, CDMA will spread fixed telephony and Motorola is looking to provide inputs for FWT (Fixed Wireless Terminals). Our efforts on WiLL and Fixed Wireless Terminals are meant for India.