Service provider resolutions

Every December, I, along with millions of other Americans, think about my resolutions for the upcoming year. The list I come up with typically has a few lofty goals I'll likely break within the first week, some carry-overs that didn't get accomplished the year before, and one or two objectives that hopefully are achievable with the right plan of attack.

Since I've been covering IPTV and wireless for over a year now, many of my goals for 2009 will be work-related. I'd like to get more technical on wireless, find a comfortable pair of flats for tradeshow-hopping and actually snag an interview with Apple — just to name a few. I'll also be interested to see what goals telcos prioritize for 2009, but in the meantime, I have a few suggestions of my own.

Focus on the content, not the screen

For convergence to take off, service providers have to move away from packaging content for a particular medium. Consumers want their social networks, YouTube video and entertainment across a variety of networks and devices, and they want it to be seamless, familiar and simple.

Explore new business models

Now, more than ever, consumers are less willing to pay for content, whether that's on the mobile handset, the TV set or the PC. I have yet to see compelling targeted advertising that actually makes me happy to accept the interruption — but would certainly be open to it in exchange for free content.

Expect the unexpected (competitor)

Service providers today are defined less by the networks they own and more by the services they enable. As cable companies enter the wireless space, software companies develop operating systems and telcos offer TV, competition literally can come from anywhere.

Make it easy to be green

Not that the trade shows can stand any less traffic, but green should be more than just a buzzword in 2009. Environmentally conscious efforts can encompass everything from telepresence instead of travel to biodegradable packaging and recyclable cell phones to conserving energy. Increasingly eco-friendly consumers are primary drivers of the green movement, so simple changes ultimately could help the bottom line.

Be flexible

On the wireless front, Leap and MetroPCS have the right idea in offering their customers the ultimate in flexible prepaid calling plans. The weak economy is forcing many consumers to rethink their essential services and purchases, making customer service and a multitude of proactive and reactive pricing, bundling and payment options a must.

Rally behind mobile TV

Mobile TV services such as those supported by the Open Mobile Video Coalition are cool. Qualcomm's MediaFLO, for that matter, is a cool service, too, but the OMVC and its local broadcasters are suggesting free, local, live TV on the go. It sounds like a no-brainer, but it'll take the support of handset manufacturers to embed the chipsets and carriers to market and sell the service to make it a reality.

Of course, it's simple to give advice when you report from the sidelines, and as with most resolutions, some are easier said than done. As service providers deal with the credit crunch, their priorities are bound to shift. Still, a goal is a good place to start. I'm looking forward to tracking the progress made in 2009 — what should prove to be another year of innovation, changes and way too many trade shows.