Times are tough for many telecom firms, particularly for those that make infrastructure gear or handsets. Faced with layoffs and restructuring, these companies must rethink their business models in response to the changing marketplace.
As these traditional telecom firms struggle, the door is opening for smaller, entrepreneurial companies such as mobile app developers that seem to have unlimited potential if they can succeed at developing an app that resonates with consumers or enterprises. These entrepreneurs, however, often lack the basic financing to get started in their development process.
With these bigger themes in mind, the Fierce editorial team delved into some of the latest trends in the industry and came up with these innovative features. In case you missed them earlier in the week, here's recap of our latest special reports and features for you to check out:
- FierceWireless compiled this list of the top five biggest wireless layoffs in the past year. These job cuts have been primarily at two kinds of companies: network infrastructure vendors and struggling handset makers. List
- AppStori and Millennial Media are partnering to offer a combination of cash and credit to help developers bring their ideas to life. In this feature, FierceDeveloper Editor Shane Schick delves into the "kickstarter" model for investing in mobile apps. Article
- Ever since Softbank announced its plans to invest $20.1 billion in Sprint Nextel (NYSE:S), people have been wondering what exactly the Japanese company has in mind for its new U.S. pet project. FierceBroadbandWireless Editor Tammy Parker recently visited Japan and her slideshow provides a snapshot of Softbank's marketing moves and how they may impact Sprint. Slideshow
- With roughly 700,000 applications optimized for the iOS platform in Apple's App Store and another 700,000 for Android in the rival Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) Play, the mobile ecosystem has grown to the stage where there are apps for every conceivable situation, interest and idiosyncrasy. But that isn't always a good thing. Check out our compilation of the most inappropriate iOS and Android applications of 2012. List
- Companies that test, analyze and preview mobile applications were big winners with venture capital firms in October. According to a Rutberg & Co. report on venture capital financing, 91 mobile companies received $360 million in VC financing in October. Here's a look at the big winners. Article
- Check out what long-time telecom industry veteran Vish Nandlall, CTO of Ericsson's (NASDAQ:ERIC) North America division, has to say about the company's long-term strategy. On the Hot Seat
Keep your eyes peeled for more special reports and features from the Fierce team in the weeks ahead.--Sue