Frequently Asked Questions
Strategic
How does this differ from the services that already exist? Why don't mobile operators simply provide access to existing IM services, such as MSN Messenger?
The majority of services that exist today are examples of off-net instant messaging. What is being recommended here is that customers are offered the alternative of an on-net instant messaging service - adopting the 'trusted mobile environment' that has served more than a billion customers to date to offer a high-quality service, along with transparent costs and protection from spam, viruses and other malicious content.
Why is Personal IM a priority for operators versus new 3G multimedia services such as mobile TV or video calls?
Operators will obviously determine the priority for their own product launches in their own markets. Instant Messaging does, however, offer a real and exciting opportunity in the near term. Furthermore, by moving in a consistent way to deliver Personal IM, the mobile industry has a unique opportunity to create a compelling service for customers - one which is as widely interoperable as possible, and hence one which could recreate the success of mobile voice and SMS.
Although the major European operators are behind this push, how much support is there in the wider global operator community?
Most of the world's leading mobile operators have been involved in the process to date and many operators including those in Asia and in the USA are lending their support to Personal IM.
Customer
Will I be able to send instant messages to friends on different mobile networks or on PCs?
Ensuring wide interoperability is central to Personal IM. You will be able to send instant messages to friends on all those mobile networks which agree to participate. If fixed IM players also agree to link to the new community then you will also be able to exchange messages with them.
Will I be able to use 'extras' such as emoticons which are found on fixed IM services?
Operators will determine the actual design of the service and the user interface. However, core functions of instant messaging are likely to be available. In general the Personal IM service will resemble the service on the fixed Internet - only on the phone, portable and 'always available'.
Will I be able to hold a chat session with several people at once?
Yes, chatting with multiple parties simultaneously is central to Personal IM. Customers will also be able to see the 'thread' of the conversation - 'who said what, when'.
How does 'presence' work?
'Presence' will work in a similar way as it does on existing fixed Internet IM services. Users will be able to see which of their contacts are available to chat before initiating an IM session. Different levels of presence could potentially be indicated, for example 'unavailable', 'on-line', 'ready to chat', and so on. In the future presence could become even more valuable on the mobile if it is linked to other information, for example, location.
Will I need a new phone?
Many of the phones people already own will be able to support mobile instant messaging, particularly newer, higher end models. Almost all new phones sold will be able to support instant messaging services. When services are launched customers should check with their operator as to the requirements to use the service and whether their device is supported.
Is Personal IM really instant?
Yes - conversations will be 'real-time'.
What's so great about Mobile Instant Messaging versus SMS?
Mobile Instant Messaging offers some unique and exciting opportunities for customers to communicate with each other. It is 'instant' and allows real-time conversations. It allows customers to chat in groups and shows the 'thread' or history of the conversation on the screen. Instant Messaging is based on 'presence', with users able to see whether their contacts are available and ready to chat before initiating conversations.
When will I be able to use Personal IM?
Exact launch dates of instant messaging services will be determined by operators. The timing will depend on technology readiness and other planned product launches. The GSMA expects there to be strong momentum post the 3GSM World Congress at Barcelona (February 2007) with a number of launches in 2007.
How is Personal IM charged and what sort of pricing models are there?
Personal IM pricing models vary across different operators and geographical regions. Some operators charge on a subscription basis- meaning users can benefit from unlimited usage. Some providers charge per chat session and others bundle both messaging and SMS pricing together.
Technical
To what extent has the interoperability concept been tested for Personal IM and what are the remaining technical barriers?
Vodafone and MSN have signed an interworking deal and the service has gone live in a number of European markets. That's early proof that operators can overcome the technical barriers of fixed-mobile interoperability. We don't expect any major technical barriers will hold-up the launch of interoperable mobile-mobile services.
Will mobile operators use SIP/IMS to deliver instant messaging?
Operators don't have to use SIP or IMS technology to provide instant messaging services. Several protocols are currently available for IM - IMPS, xMPP and SIP/SIMPLE being the more obvious ones, and OMA SIP/SIMPLE is currently fully compatible with IMS. Operators are free to choose any available protocol for IM deployment, but must be aware of the overhead cost of technical interworking between two or more different protocols.
Will there be problems with the transition to IPv6?
IPv6 should not present any major obstacles for bi-lateral solutions.
How will 'presence' functionality work?
Existing services have shown that 'presence functionality' can be made to work. Presence information gathered from the home network will be held on a central server, this includes user states of Online, Offline and Busy only. This presence information will be passed between IM Servers on other networks on an agreed basis/frequency. The information can then be incorporated into the local IM network implementation.