Does mobile search mean universal access?
An important point for me in the mobile search discussion is access. Only 7.7% of the UK’s 41 million mobile subscribers (the largest percentage in Europe) use 3G handsets and pay a premium for 3G network access. Currently, SMS is by far the preferred delivery platform in the mobile/wireless sector. It’s a technology that people like and trust. The potential of 3G is massive, but people’s primary mobile search needs will remain unchanged:
- customised responses to precise, individualised questions
- timely answers
- trusted sources
- simple and functional UI
- ability to clarify questions and receive customer service.
Being a demand-led service we have implemented all of these points at 82ASK. Current mobile search products lean towards BYOMS as a stop-gap solution. BYOMS allow the user to tailor their searches using only sources they select, but this is a time-consuming and limiting process. 82ASK is committed to providing universal access to the best knowledge for an affordable price. So using the SMS platform, our service requires no user education; users can access the sources we use to answer their question which assures them that all questions use trusted sources. PMN wrote of 82ASK that “this willingness to empower users to access information for themselves is one of the fundamental differences from the AQA service.” 82ASK Texperts are highly trained researchers, and are constantly using and sourcing the best knowledge resources. We’re currently trialling new subscription-based pricing models, which we believe represent excellent value for money compared to 3G network access.
