While Pinoys are leading in local text traffic, mobile instant messaging (IM) is taking off in other parts of the world. This is not SMS or MMS, but messaging where you can show and set presence (online/offline/available/busy status).
In other countries and markets, this is taking off. Plus factors are: using the same mobile IM system on the phone and on the PC, high Internet penetration, and high end phones. Mobile IM needs custom programs on the phone (such as Series 60, Symbian OS, or J2ME). Some IM systems can use the Open Mobile Alliance’s Wireless Village standard built into some phones (such as the “My Friends” in Sony Ericsson phones).
Chikka has the mindshare when it comes to “mobile instant messaging. The popular IM clients in the Philippines may build their own phone clients in the future. Until then, mobile IM vendors have a market, selling to telcos and to retail users. They need to interoperate with the popular desktop IMs – Google Talk federation makes it easy.
Does mobile IM have a chance in the Pinoy mobile market?