March 3, 2006 at 8:25 pm · Authored by Ewan · Filed under Mobile

Link: Cellcos prepare for IM onslaught | The Register.

15 of the leading non-US cellular carriers were plotting to launch their own statement on standardised interoperable instant messengers, a move that is meant to slam the mobile door in the face of not just Microsoft, but also AOL, Yahoo, Google and, of course, Skype, the carriers’ current "b�te noire".

As always, The Register sums it up in 7 words:

Shut out portals to whip up ARPU

I am a complete subscriber to the "you are the pipe" perspective.  Why don’t the operators just open up and let everyone else worry about pushing up data rates.  As long as it’s priced appropriately and easy to use, I’ve no doubt consumers would pile into at least trying out the technology.

If the operators are even considering charging per instant message — as some stories indicate — they have some big lessons ahead. 

Either that or I’ll need to eat a rather big hat!