In what once was a largely untapped market, telecommunication companies are struggling to find more voice subscribers, instead having to move towards other forms of services to stay competitive. Markets like Morocco have a 100 percent penetration rate, while Algeria is close with enough mobile phones for 90 percent of the population. Bundling, mobile Internet, and mobile apps should expect a higher emphasis in coming years. A recent report by Informa Telecoms & Media said bundling will be an important marketing tool utilized by Telecommunications companies in the coming years. In a report last May the head of research, TV, and Broadband for Informa, Rob Gallagher, said, “Bundling may not be the most glamorous weapon in operators' arsenals, but it certainly is one of the most powerful.” The Abu Dhabi based English daily The National reported last Sunday that mobile firms will start pricing smartphones at more affordable prices to boost mobile internet usage. The president of Qualcomm, a California based chip-maker said he expects “to see smartphone handsets at $100 or below in the next 12 months in this region.” Another market to move into is the Mobile App Market. The National reported Wednesday that more than half of smartphone users aim to buy applications for their mobiles. BM
