China Mobile Wi-Fi Play Misguided 中移动：百万WiFi热点？
China Mobile’s (HKEx: 941; NYSE: CHL) new wi-fi initiative shows it is finally admitting it needs a good high-speed wireless Internet alternate to its problematic 3G network. According to Chinese media, the company is trumpeting a new initiative that will see it boost its fledgling wi-fi network to 1 million hot spots in the next three years. (Chinese report) While I like that China Mobile is finally admitting it needs a better product to be competitive in high-speed wireless Internet, this latest initiative looks like a good way to spend lots of money with very little hope for serious rewards. I’ve seen too many large-scale wi-fi initiatives with similar goals that have simply failed to find an audience. The problem is, people either want their mobile Internet in individual shops, like a Starbucks or fast food restaurant, or they want a network they can access anywhere. No one seems interested in an in-between product, which is what China Mobile wants to create.
Bottom line: China Mobile’s new wi-fi expansion is good in concept, but will end up a dud just like its 3G network.
中国移动董事长王建宙表示计划三年内在全国增建WiFi热点至100万个，实际上是承认了自己的3G网络存在不足，因而需要用大规模高速WiFi网络来加以弥补。尽管我赞赏中国移动勇于承认不足，但这个”百万WiFi热点”计划却将事倍功半。我见过太多类似的大规模WiFi网络计划，最终都因无人问津而惨遭失败。问 题在於，人们要麽需要在固定公共场所接入无线互联网，比如星巴克咖啡馆，要麽需要在行动中随时随地接入无线网；而对介於两者之间的产品则兴趣寥。而中国移 动计划之中的恰恰似乎是这麽个产品。
一句话：中移动的”百万WiFi热点”计划看似不错的概念，但在实践中将成为与它的3G网络一样的败笔。
Related postings 有关文章:
◙ China Mobile Pushes Ahead With 4G Trial, Challenges Regulator 中国移动急於进军4G
◙ 2011: Year of the Unicom 2011：联通的好运年
◙ 4G Trial Expansion Looms, But Real Networks Still Years Off
