Today’s technology

Some 17 years ago, I invited Larry Ellison of Oracle to address the APEC Business Forum (now called the APEC CEO Summit).  At that time, he eloquently predicted that the cell phone would in the future be capable of performing the functions of the personal computer.

In 1998, I was invited to meet with Manuel V. Pangilinan who had just taken over PLDT.  As the former chairman of PLDT, I was eager to meet him. In my arrogance, having been involved in technology for 25 years, I found it difficult to accept that he took over  a company which was technology based.  Time has proven I was mistaken. The performance of PLDT financially and technologically proves that. As I have previously stated, he is one of the few in the country who understands technology and the imperatives of technological convergence.  In the last few years, Manny and his team have enlightened me further on what Larry Ellison predicted.

But this column is not about Pangilinan or Ellison. I recently attended a technology briefing abroad and I would like to give an update on industry trends. The future is going to be about mobile.Global smartphone shipments will eclipse feature phones for the first time this year. Smartphone prices continue to fall rapidly, functionality and battery life is improving and applications (known as “apps”) availability has exploded. This, year, I am told smartphones abroad will be available for as low as $150.

Global smartphone subscribers Q4 2012

Source: Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers

According to a recent study, 70 percent of the developed world population is online.  In the emerging world, online penetration is 24 percent.  Today there are twice as many mobile broadband subscriptions than fixed lines. In the US, 24 percent of all internet shopping came from mobile and tablets on Black Friday (11/23/12)

India internet traffic:  Desktop vs. mobile

Source: StatCounter Global Stats

Apps are the order of the day, with the average smartphone user now downloading over 60 apps.  In the US, consumers now spend twice as much time on mobile apps than the web. 

The trend indicates increased engagement and use when app traffic is compared to browser traffic.

Global mobile app and advertising revenues

Trends in China

When one speaks of technological trends, it is important to point out the developments in China. The size of China’s internet population is now estimated at 538 million. The mobile internet population jumped 22 percent YoY to 388 million and smartphone users were expected to reach 270 million by the end of 2012 from 141 million in 2011.

Future of technology in the Philippines

Fortunately, the private sector in telecommunications has done very well in keeping up to date.  Deloitte predicts over 200 operators in 75 countries will have launched LTE (Long- term evolution) networks by the end of 2013. We are not behind in this regard.  What is my continuing concern is the capability of the government regulatory bodies to keep pace with the private sector.  I continue to believe that a sustained focus is required by the establishment of a standalone executive department focusing on technology, a Department of Information and Communications Technology.

Message for the DOTC Secretary

I find it ironic that I have just written about advances in technology in both the developed and emerging world even as I express dismay, frustration and outright disgust about one of the agencies under your office: the LTO.  Yesterday at a board meeting of one of the leading corporations, the members vented their spleen about their inability to secure license plates for their recently acquired vehicles (some six months ago) and worse yet their inability to secure a simple sticker for renewal.  Mr. Secretary, I find it difficult to understand how your office cannot instruct your LTO management to produce the tag plates immediately. It does not require sophisticated technology, only an LTO with a sense of urgency to please the public.