In a recent article that I read on the SMH and after further discussion with Chris Elson (New-Media Sales Head at Dialogue Communications), it would seem mobile internet still has a long way to go before it is widely accepted in Australia. And when I say Mobile Internet, I don’t mean browsing the internet on your laptop while you’re mobile – but actually using that piece of technology in your pocket to get on the internet.

Now immediately the first thing that’s hit your head is – “Data Charges”!!! Yep, many people are afraid of that and so they should be. Carriers charge us an atrocious amount either for the data downloaded or time spent.

Let’s assume for the next 5 mins that using your mobile phone to go on the internet was free (like it is for me), what hold’s people back from actually using it?

1) Education
There is no way to explain to someone how to use their web browsers on their mobile phone. Sure, there’s the Nokia manual – but seriously, how many of you have read that? People who advertise for their products saying go to www.something.com/mobile surely don’t explain how to actually put the URL into their phone for a layman. Is it because there are way too many phone models and different operating systems to explain how it’s done? Maybe – Modu Mobile will solve that issue.

2) Content
Google.com is my mobile browser’s homepage. I search for restaurants, answers to questions that get my nerves, read the news and it’s ideal for when I’m on the go. But is that all? Do the carriers provide the general people with a reason to go onto Mobile Web?

Network Carrier 3 has their 3Planet which syndicates content from various sources, such as RSVP, RealEstate, and so on. I don’t have a 3 anymore, so I’m not sure what they charge. And Vodafone has Vodafone Live – which I personally haven’t used because the would probably charge me for anything I click on (see, again no education on the pricing of their content)

Telstra tried their new WotNext website – which I must say is pretty cool, but hasn’t yet lifted off compared to YouTube or other popular video sites. The website allows the general public to put up videos that they’ve taken. If a Telstra mobile user downloads the content on their phone ($1 per video), then the user who put it up get’s 50% i.e. 50c for each download.

So, I though I’d give it a go. Chris and I went through one of the tunnels in Sydney during the time when he hired an Aston Martin V8 Vantage. I put the video on WotNext, and so far we’ve earned $35.00

I’m assuming that those 70 people who downloaded our video know what they’re doing or are oblivious to the fact that they got charged a $1 for each download.

SMS 28576 to 19 WOTGET (19 968 438) (note: you’ll get charged $1 by your carrier – don’t say that I didn’t tell you!)

3) The Premium Services
Ok, now this actually get’s on my nerves. Have you ever seen that stupid bunny on the tv singing to a carrot? That tune is bloody annoying… but when you start to read the fine print, you begin to notice how much that service actually costs you.

$4 to sign up, + $4 for each message sent and receieved – and they send you the top 5 ring tones per week.

So let’s do the math for the first month – $4 to sign up, + 4 X $20 per week (for 1 ringtone that is automatically pushed to your phone each weekday). That’s $84 per month – which is more than my phone bill!!

Oh, and if you need to stop your service that’s another $4 to send the word ‘STOP’ to their premium number.

Premium service providers are making money because they target the teens and those unaware until their first bill. But will general companies that want to sell their product ever realise that Mobile could be the next big thing in the coming future?

To end off, I’ll leave you with this line that I read from 160 Characters:

“A wise man once said that there are three ways to lose money: The fun way, which is women. The fast way, which is cars. And the certain way which is to invest in the mobile industry”