Business 2.0 is featuring a fair article on AT&T Wireless' mMode, the US version of the highly successful Japanese mobile Internet service i-mode offered by NTT DoCoMo. I think they where a bit generous in giving them a C+. I've written up my criticisms of mMode in the past and little seems to have change in the recent months. My grade is a D.
One of my continuing criticisms is that mMode has offers small and independent developers no opportunity or support in leveraging their billion dollar network. It ignores the law of network value -- Metcalfe's Law.
"What remains unclear -- besides the confusing name -- is whether mMode offers anything that consumers would want or need."
Mobile operators lack the background necessary to develop the depth and breath of services needed to attract subscribers. Besides we have calendars, contact lists, news alerts, flight information, and restaurant guides when mobile from any number of existing sources. Attracting a substantial subscriber base will require unique high-value niche applications and services. The only way to possibly achieve this is by leveraging the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of the developer community at large.
It astounds me that AT&T has ignored this most fundamental of laws. NTT "got it" with i-mode and opened their network and billing system to thousands of independent content services and applications. The i-mode service has been one of the few mobile computing successes. Could the openness of the i-mode service be a key factor? I believe so.
