Many issues need to be resolved to encourage the adoption of mobile imaging in general and picture messaging in particular. Some have to do with the cellular networks, some have to do with mobile devices, and some have to do with the service providers - they need to simplify and reduce picture-messaging charges and they need to let us exchange pictures with anybody we want to, in particular with any other mobile phone, a capability generally referred to as Interoperability.

All are important and all are being worked on, but the issue that currently shows the least progress is the last one - interoperability. Real, seamless, and universal inter-carrier picture messaging seems to be an ever-receding goal. There have been some announcements - even in North America - but some of the arrangements don't work at all and those that do generally leave a great deal to be desired. Through interviews with carriers and infrastructure vendors, this report explores the technical and business challenges that stand in the way of interoperability. It also describes some of the alternatives and workarounds being developed to fill the gap between customer expectations and the current reality.

Table of Figures

Introduction

1. Introduction

2. Definitions & Terminology

2.1 Picture Messaging/MMS

2.2 E-Mail & Internet

2.3 Japanese Market

2.3 Organizations

2.4 Digital Imaging

Geographic Differences

3. Geographic Differences

3.1 Japan

3.2 Europe

3.3 United States

Challenges

4. Technical Challenges

4.1 MMSC Variations

4.2 Scalability & Reliability

4.3 Transcoding

4.3.1 Handset Diversity

4.3.2 Content Diversity

4.3.3 Platform Diversity

4.4 Optimized Experience

5. Business Challenges

5.1 AT&T Wireless – Picture Messaging

5.2 Cingular Wireless – Multimedia Messaging

5.3 Nextel Communications – Multimedia Messaging

5.4 Sprint PCS – PictureMail

5.5 T-Mobile USA – Picture Messaging

5.6 Verizon Wireless – PIX/FLIX

Opportunities

6. Opportunities

6.1 Poll Results

6.2 The Carrier's Perspective

6.3 The CTIA

6.4 Third-Party Initiatives

Conclusions & Outlook

7. Conclusions & Outlook

7.1 Benefits to carriers

7.2 Benefits to the telecommunications industry

7.3 Benefits to business

7.4 Benefits to consumers

7.5 Benefits to mobile imaging ecosystem

About the Author / Future Image

Table of Figures

Fig. 1 – Samsung SPH-2300 3.2MP Camera-phone [top]; Sony Ericsson S700 1.3MP camera-phone [bottom]
Fig. 2 – SMS Growth Dec '00 – Dec '03

Fig. 3 – MMS Architecture

Fig. 4 – T-Mobile camera-phone compatibility chart

Fig. 5 – Poll results: Those with camera-phones
Fig. 6 – Poll results: Those without camera-phones
Fig. 7 – NowMMS
Fig. 8 – PixToPix
Fig. 9 – Cognima Snap!
Fig. 10 – MyQPU
Fig. 11 – Vipera Shoot&Send