I know it isn't machine learning in any real sense, but I'm very much looking forward to IBM's Watson taking on the human masters of Jeopardy! next month. Semi-smart machines like Watson will revolutionise call centre systems over the next decade, improving front line customer service across all platforms and reducing the Developed world's dependence on outsourcing... not to mention being a whizz at punning!
Following yesterday's post, here's some related thinking on the impacts on operators of handset leasing. Handset sales represent around 25% of operator revenues in a typical European market, but generate only around 5% of margin. It may therefore be the case that the scenario described would lead operators to a more profitable structural model than exists today. Oil companies are consistently and acceptably profitable, despite being (literally in some cases) the ‘dumb pipe’ that operators are so desperate to avoid becoming. One of the reasons for the oil majors sustained profitability is clear focus on their role in the value chain – to supply the fuel that enables transportation, relying primarily on location, then brand and finally product innovation to compete. BP or Shell do not need to subsidise the purchase of a car in order to drive consumption of fuel because consumers are ‘hooked’ on it (it gets them from place to place) and there are many credible car manufacturers an...
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