I've been spending the past week traveling around meeting with a couple of our customers and a variety of content providers in the APAC region. Keep in mind, I've been involved in the mobile space for over 12 years now.. but even after all the knowledge transfer from co-workers, reading of countless articles and a good solid effort to understand pre-paid markets, there was one thing that stood out for me. Music and radio in India over the voice channel.
The concept of someone dialing into a number to listen to songs on their phone was baffling to me.. but then again, it is a different market and even I should have known better than to be stunned. Most of the users of this service have no other means for internet. So.. how do you listen to your radio station when you don't have a radio, don't have internet? Just dial a number and burn some pre-paid credits with live radio. It's a few seconds (ten-ish) delayed.. but very useful for those markets with a similar demographic.
I've become immersed over the past week in many great conversations with smart people. It goes back to the philosophy that you can't do Product Management from your office. I try to practice this road trip education as often as I can.. no better people to learn from than the actual markets and customers.
Continuing week two.. let's see the joy and fun this brings.