WiFi Health Concerns Will Affect Competition in the Telecoms Marketplace, says Logan Orviss

WiFi Health Concerns Will Affect Competition in the Telecoms Marketplace, says Logan Orviss

[ClickPress, Wed May 23 2007] (An update on original press statement from 10 May 2007: WiFi health scare has potential to rattle consumer confidence)

Logan Orviss International, one of EMEA’s largest telecommunications consultancy groups, today commented further about the impact of WiFi health concerns. Initially cited in various publications, this scare will now pick up much broader consumer awareness following the broadcast of last evening’s BBC Panorama programme.

The scientific community appears polarised by heath concern reports – such as the ‘test’ that allegedly proved that WiFi radiation in the classroom was three times the level generated by mobile phone masts – some of the community now believes caution is imperative, and the other half believes it is irresponsible scaremongering.

“If schools across the country are starting to rethink implementing WiFi, as reports have suggested, confidence is already rattled,” said Hugh Roberts, senior strategist for Logan Orviss International. “Consumer behaviour and purchasing decisions in the private sector will be impacted.”

Roberts continues: “It is important to consider what could happen in the communications value chain. Wi-Fi offers a form of ‘mobility’ for fixed line operators who want to offer their customers converged services that include ‘out of home experiences’ without incurring mobile roaming tariffs for voice and data services. Even a small erosion of consumer confidence – which is now almost inevitable – will change the competitive landscape and will undoubtedly influence the future re-structuring of the telecoms industry.”

Logan Orviss notes two other areas that might become affected if these scare stories continue:

1 - Telcos are investing on convergent services targeted at family groups, where the bill payer (typically a parent) is responsible for the overall profile of the family’s usage, although individuals are able to top-up or modify their accounts in defined ways. Home networks – typically WiFi – have been an important part of the development of this comprehensive offering

Logan Orviss International, one of EMEA’s largest telecommunications consultancy groups, today commented further about the impact of WiFi health concerns. Initially cited in various publications, this scare will now pick up much broader consumer awareness following the broadcast of last evening’s BBC Panorama programme.

The scientific community appears polarised by heath concern reports – such as the ‘test’ that allegedly proved that WiFi radiation in the classroom was three times the level generated by mobile phone masts – some of the community now believes caution is imperative, and the other half believes it is irresponsible scaremongering.

“If schools across the country are starting to rethink implementing WiFi, as reports have suggested, confidence is already rattled,” said Hugh Roberts, senior strategist for Logan Orviss International. “Consumer behaviour and purchasing decisions in the private sector will be impacted.”

Roberts continues: “It is important to consider what could happen in the communications value chain. Wi-Fi offers a form of ‘mobility’ for fixed line operators who want to offer their customers converged services that include ‘out of home experiences’ without incurring mobile roaming tariffs for voice and data services. Even a small erosion of consumer confidence – which is now almost inevitable – will change the competitive landscape and will undoubtedly influence the future re-structuring of the telecoms industry.”

Logan Orviss notes two other areas that might become affected if these scare stories continue:

1 - Telcos are investing on convergent services targeted at family groups, where the bill payer (typically a parent) is responsible for the overall profile of the family’s usage, although individuals are able to top-up or modify their accounts in defined ways. Home networks – typically WiFi – have been an important part of the development of this comprehensive offering

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