For years, people have envisioned the combination of micro-payments with cell phones for mobile commerce.  Now, Visa and others are moving toward making that a reality.  Saul Hansell has a good look at combo solution currently being used in Malaysia.

And while this seems like a great idea… ( and who didn’t see the “but” coming… ), but:

Are telecommunications revenue and cost assurance organizations ready to start reconciling all those transactions over phones?

Besides reconciling the number of cost and payment transactions that I’m sure will be flowing across the telecom networks if these systems become reality; attempting to capture the fraudulent transactions from the flow will be a challenge that many revenue assurance teams may not be ready for initially.  This comes from the fact that working with the external fraud teams of the credit card companies will be a new challenge that will be different from working with the internal fraud management teams.

What do you think the future of mobile commerce on wireless phones will be?

1. Integrated phone / credit card apps?
2. Credit card only apps via app stores like iTunes?
3. SMS/MMS based transaction engines?

Post your comments below or email (John.Myers@BlueBuffaloGroup.com) / twitter (JohnLMyers44) me directly. 

Product bundling is a great way of raising the barriers to exit for customers and enticing new customers to leave their individual product providers.  Emma Lunn takes a good look at what is going on in the UK regarding pricing associated with product bundling.  While I am all for the market setting pricing, I have to wonder if:

Pricing wars will lead to bundles that will make it so that only the “largest” telecom organizations (ie BT, Verizon, AT&T, etc) can provide those services?

Hopefully, sound product management strategy and pricing will allow smaller players to continue to offer innovative products and services.  However, “critical mass” and deep pockets have their advantages in the telecom market.

Where do you think that the current economic situation will drive product bundle pricing?

1. “Big Boy” only commoditization driven pricing models?
2. Premium pricing business models for smaller organizations who compete on options and customer service?

Post your comments below or email (John.Myers@BlueBuffaloGroup.com) / twitter (JohnLMyers44) me directly.