Wireless Instant Messaging

The runaway popularity of instant messaging on the PC internet has prompted both wireless carriers and IM networks to expand this key online communication channel onto mobile devices.

As the availability of mobile data services increases, even on entry-level cell phones, the big IM providers have been racing to form partnerships with leading cell phone manufacturers and carriers around the world.

Yahoo’s instant messaging product, for example, now comes pre-installed on many Motorola cell phones and BlackBerry email devices, while Microsoft’s Windows Live Messenger service is redistributed by numerous wireless carriers, including Orange in Europe and Telus Mobility in Canada.

In the long term, however, many cell phone providers are hoping to bypass existing online services and create a single open-standards IM network for cell phone users around the globe. Talk of such a network has even spurred speculation that mobile IM could eventually replace SMS-based text messaging.

There’s little doubt that wireless instant messaging is growing fast, and will be a major component in mobile data offerings of the future. Analysts warn, however, that carriers should be cautious while expanding these services, so as to avoid cannibalizing existing revenue from traditional voice and SMS offerings.


Published by TeleClick Enterprises
Edited by Jeremy Maddock