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TU Me by Telefónica enters the crowded VoIP and mobile messaging space

By: , IntoMobile
Wednesday, May 9th, 2012 at 1:08 AM
telefonica

Telefónica, better known as O2 in the UK, has just launched an iOS application called “TU Me”. If you know what Skype does, then you know what TU Me does. It has free voice over IP calling, it has instant messaging, photo sharing, and you’ll even be able to share your location. The catch? It only works if your other friends are using the app. There are plans for an Android version of TU Me, but no further details were provided. Now stop and think for a second about how many players currently exist in this space: Skype is the 800 pound gorilla, WhatsApp is practically ubiquitous in several European markets, Facebook has begun pushing Facebook Messanger, and there’s many other smaller services that we’re not even going to bother mentioning.

The bigger and more important question: Why is an operator building an application and service that cannibalizes their legacy (voice and SMS) revenue stream? It’s an incredibly difficult question to answer. For years operators have been trying to invent new services to sell to their customers, but time and time again they’ve all failed. TU Me will work with devices that aren’t on Telefónica’s network, which is a huge step forward since most operators create services that only work on their network, but still … what role should an operator play in today’s day and age?

This might sound controversial, but we think that operators should start accepting the fact that they’re nothing more than pipes. They should close their shops, stop wasting money on advertising, and just compete on things like coverage and speed. Your phone bill pays for all the developers that your operator hires to “differentiate” their devices, all the ads they air on television, the hundreds of lease agreements for their stores, and the salaries of all the people working in said stores.

Maybe it’s time to cut back?

[Via: The Verge]

About The Author

Stefan Constantinescu

Stefan Constantinescu (@WhatTheBit on Twitter) has loved technology since as far back as he can remember. It started with computers, but in the past few years his passion has turned to mobile devices. As a mobile phone enthusiast who lives and breathes devices that connect to the internet, he knows he is not alone with this radical fascination of all things wireless. He is strongly opinionated and enjoys a good debate so leave comments in his posts and he’ll get back to you! Stefan began blogging as a hobby in the fall of 2006 and joined IntoMobile in the summer of 2007. Later he got a job at Nokia in March 2008, but as of June 2009 he has rejoined the IntoMobile team. He is currently based out of Helsinki, Finland.

  • http://twitter.com/tsahil Tsahi Levent-Levi

    Stefan,

    Operators are still dealing with communication – not only data pipes.
    Someone still needs to provide ubiquitous calling solutions – PSTN, 911, etc.
    When you call your bank, do you do it using Skype or through PSTN? Would you like to do it with Skype? Would that provide a better solution overall? I am not sure about the answer here.

    The fact that Telefonica decided to try and provide a service outside its comfort zone of SIM-based users just means it is playing the OTT game in their own field. I see no problem there.
    I wish them all the luck.
    You should also check what Rogers is doing with their One Number initiative – similar though not pure OTT yet. It connects their existing mobile phone number of the user and give him true mobility – with or without his physical phone.

    • http://www.intomobile.com/ Stefan Constantinescu

      Fragmentation. Fragmentation. Fragmentation. Not a fan. This service in Spain, that service in Canada, another service in the UK. This is why Skype is awesome. And as for the whole 911 thing, that’s been solved, operators are just too lazy to roll it out.

  • http://www.whichvoip.com/ Phone Service Providers

    brilliant post…. Thanks for sharing this wonderful post.