As part of this partnership initiative, I am wondering how can we launch SMS-based services in Mz and LK, based on ideas we come up with (also existing or services that either I or you and your team develop). The Tech part is the easiest. In Mz we already have the link and commercial agreement with 2 main Mobile operators.
Customer Base in Moz: Approx. 6million
Rates for premium SMS service: MZM 5, MZM 10, MZM 20
Revenue share models with operators depend on the rate you charge. But in general, they keep from 30% - 40% of the revenue, and the VASP takes the remaining portion.
What it takes to get a VASP license in LK, and commercial agreements with mobile operators?
Not sure whether you can understand my message. Hope you can.
ReplyDeleteThanks for re-starting this discussion. We have five mobile operators. One of the two big players is Dialog. There is a place on their web site to develop and launch value added services. http://www.dialog.lk/personal/mobile/features-and-vas/miscellaneous/idea-mart/. The customer base is 7.8 M.
Revenue sharing is very similar to MZ or more favorable to the service provider.
How to work-
One possibility is developing the existing services in MZ (the services you have already developed) on Dialog Idea Mart. Plus point is that there is no need to spend time on designing systems. Just launching systems on Dialog platform. You or your team has to see how to develop and launch MZ services on Dialog platform. Or you or your team can study the dialog platform and teach SL students on how to deploy new applications (actually the applications or services in MZ). Then the issue is how to share the revenue and marketing. Definitely, you and your team should get money as a % of the revenue. I can guarantee the transparency.
The second option is to deploy the systems on cloud platform. In that case also, we have to work with the mobile operator and share the revenue with them. The advantage is that we have more control over the applications and revenue. Another minus point is that we have to pay for both mobile operator and the cloud service provider. However, I prefer this option since we have more control over the applications and services.
Would it be possible to give an online introductory session for a selected number of students at our university (for example 15 students).
The previous points are for an immediate action. The middle term plan is to design and develop application collaboratively.
Hi Rasika,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the provided and very concrete suggestions in terms of action plan! Very useful!
*** Working Methodology ***
I think that both approaches are valid. Besides doing business, I like the idea of developing local capacity... If tend to think that if we develop in the students the capacity to write apps, in the mid-term they can come up with their own ideas of services (students usually have alot of time...and sometimes ideas as well), and they can become our partners, and we in return they can get some money as well. Talking about revenue sharing, dealing with you, transparency is not an issue.
Regarding the cloud option, it's also possible (that's how I run the service in Moz), we do get more control in terms of generated traffic, but I can't get independence from operator's billing/charging infrastructure. For a better comparison, it is a good idea for me to read more about Dialog Platform. Will look for it and get back with a specific action plan.
As for the online introductory session, yes it is possible. Another (old) question i have. In SL, do you use latin alphabet or another one?
Thanks for taking this discussion into a more productive one. Next Monday, I will see the possibility of getting some students for the introductory session.
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