Dumb pipe
Encyclopedia
With regards to a mobile network operator
(MNO, or operator), the term dumb pipe refers to an operator’s network being used simply to transfer bytes between the customer’s device and the Internet
. The use of the term “dumb” refers to the inability of the operator to restrict services and applications to its own portal and primarily just provide simple bandwidth and network speed.
The dumb pipe is one of the commonly understood operational models for a MNO
, including the walled garden
, and the smart pipe
.
. The iPhone
enables its users to directly surf the Internet
with its mobile Safari
browser
and connects to Apple’s ITunes store
for purchasing ringtones and music
instead of the operator’s own portal. Operators such as AT&T Mobility cannot offer their traditional services (such as downloads of wallpapers
, ringtones, games
, applications, etc.) as Apple controls the total iPhone
user experience. Operators must be content to provide only the network connectivity and bandwidth which the iPhone
has tripled in some cities. In addition to losing valuable revenue opportunities with the customer, operators are rumored to pay Apple a percentage of the customer’s monthly bill as well. While the iPhone
is a good example of the dumb pipe, not everyone believes it will ultimately be bad for operators.
Another example of the operator dumb pipe / smart pipe
dilemma is the upcoming deployment of WiMAX
technology. Companies such as Sprint Nextel
and Clearwire
are looking into ways to deploy WiMAX
with additional services to keep them from becoming dumb pipes.
A reference which describes the dumb pipe, operator portal (or walled garden
), as well as the smart pipe
is a report from Juniper Research titled Business Models for Mobile Content Players, Strategic Options & Scenarios 2007-2012:
The author is not affiliated with Juniper in any way, and although the full report requires purchase, there are a number of summaries available on the web:
A Google
search will list several more:
Mobile network operator
A mobile network operator , also known as mobile phone operator , carrier service provider , wireless service provider, wireless carrier, or cellular company, or mobile network carrier is a telephone company that provides services for mobile phone subscribers.One essential...
(MNO, or operator), the term dumb pipe refers to an operator’s network being used simply to transfer bytes between the customer’s device and the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
. The use of the term “dumb” refers to the inability of the operator to restrict services and applications to its own portal and primarily just provide simple bandwidth and network speed.
The dumb pipe is one of the commonly understood operational models for a MNO
Mobile network operator
A mobile network operator , also known as mobile phone operator , carrier service provider , wireless service provider, wireless carrier, or cellular company, or mobile network carrier is a telephone company that provides services for mobile phone subscribers.One essential...
, including the walled garden
Walled garden (media)
A walled garden is an analogy used in various senses in information technology. In the telecommunications and media industries, a "walled garden" refers to a carrier or service provider's control over applications, content, and media on platforms and restriction of convenient access to...
, and the smart pipe
Smart pipe
Smart pipe, related to a mobile network operator , refers to an operator’s network which leverages existing or unique service abilities, and the operator’s customer relationships, to provide value beyond that of data connectivity only...
.
Examples
One widely regarded example of the operator “dumb pipe” scenario is Apple’s iPhoneIPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
. The iPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
enables its users to directly surf the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
with its mobile Safari
Safari (web browser)
Safari is a web browser developed by Apple Inc. and included with the Mac OS X and iOS operating systems. First released as a public beta on January 7, 2003 on the company's Mac OS X operating system, it became Apple's default browser beginning with Mac OS X v10.3 "Panther". Safari is also the...
browser
Web browser
A web browser is a software application for retrieving, presenting, and traversing information resources on the World Wide Web. An information resource is identified by a Uniform Resource Identifier and may be a web page, image, video, or other piece of content...
and connects to Apple’s ITunes store
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
for purchasing ringtones and music
Mobile music
Mobile music is music which is downloaded or streamed to mobile phones and played by mobile phones. Although many phones play music as ringtones, true "music phones" generally allow users to stream music or download music files over the internet via a WiFI connection or 3G cell phone connection. ...
instead of the operator’s own portal. Operators such as AT&T Mobility cannot offer their traditional services (such as downloads of wallpapers
Mobile wallpaper
A mobile wallpaper is a computer wallpaper sized to fit a mobile device such as a mobile phone, personal digital assistant or digital audio player. Screens range in size from 128x128 to 640x360 and the height is often greater than or equal to the width...
, ringtones, games
Mobile game
A mobile game is a video game played on a mobile phone, smartphone, PDA, tablet computer or portable media player. This does not include games played on handheld video game systems such as Nintendo DS or PlayStation Portable....
, applications, etc.) as Apple controls the total iPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
user experience. Operators must be content to provide only the network connectivity and bandwidth which the iPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
has tripled in some cities. In addition to losing valuable revenue opportunities with the customer, operators are rumored to pay Apple a percentage of the customer’s monthly bill as well. While the iPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
is a good example of the dumb pipe, not everyone believes it will ultimately be bad for operators.
Another example of the operator dumb pipe / smart pipe
Smart pipe
Smart pipe, related to a mobile network operator , refers to an operator’s network which leverages existing or unique service abilities, and the operator’s customer relationships, to provide value beyond that of data connectivity only...
dilemma is the upcoming deployment of WiMAX
WiMAX
WiMAX is a communication technology for wirelessly delivering high-speed Internet service to large geographical areas. The 2005 WiMAX revision provided bit rates up to 40 Mbit/s with the 2011 update up to 1 Gbit/s for fixed stations...
technology. Companies such as Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel Corporation is an American telecommunications company based in Overland Park, Kansas. The company owns and operates Sprint, the third largest wireless telecommunications network in the United States, with 53.4 million customers, behind Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility...
and Clearwire
Clearwire
Clearwire Corporation is a wireless internet service provider serving markets in the United States, Belgium, and Spain...
are looking into ways to deploy WiMAX
WiMAX
WiMAX is a communication technology for wirelessly delivering high-speed Internet service to large geographical areas. The 2005 WiMAX revision provided bit rates up to 40 Mbit/s with the 2011 update up to 1 Gbit/s for fixed stations...
with additional services to keep them from becoming dumb pipes.
Further reading
While there is no real industry standard definition of dumb pipe, it is a generally understood term in the mobile industry. There are numerous blog postings and trade articles which refer to the operator dumb pipe dilemma, some of which are referenced in this article. Others include:- The Operators vs. the Media Brands
- The Pipe Is Only Dumb If You Make It That Way
- Staying Relevant In A Dumb Pipe Era
A reference which describes the dumb pipe, operator portal (or walled garden
Walled garden (media)
A walled garden is an analogy used in various senses in information technology. In the telecommunications and media industries, a "walled garden" refers to a carrier or service provider's control over applications, content, and media on platforms and restriction of convenient access to...
), as well as the smart pipe
Smart pipe
Smart pipe, related to a mobile network operator , refers to an operator’s network which leverages existing or unique service abilities, and the operator’s customer relationships, to provide value beyond that of data connectivity only...
is a report from Juniper Research titled Business Models for Mobile Content Players, Strategic Options & Scenarios 2007-2012:
The author is not affiliated with Juniper in any way, and although the full report requires purchase, there are a number of summaries available on the web:
- Smart-Pipe Strategy to Provide MNOs with 31% Share of $188bn Mobile Content Market by 2012
- Study About MNOs Share of Mobile Content Market
- Mobile Entertainment in Western Europe
A Google
Google
Google Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
search will list several more:
See also
- Mobile phoneMobile phoneA mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
- Mobile network operatorMobile network operatorA mobile network operator , also known as mobile phone operator , carrier service provider , wireless service provider, wireless carrier, or cellular company, or mobile network carrier is a telephone company that provides services for mobile phone subscribers.One essential...
- Walled gardenWalled garden (media)A walled garden is an analogy used in various senses in information technology. In the telecommunications and media industries, a "walled garden" refers to a carrier or service provider's control over applications, content, and media on platforms and restriction of convenient access to...
- Smart pipeSmart pipeSmart pipe, related to a mobile network operator , refers to an operator’s network which leverages existing or unique service abilities, and the operator’s customer relationships, to provide value beyond that of data connectivity only...