After my review of JoikuSpot, the amazingly useful 3G-Wifi-tethering application , I had a few questions for the makers of the software. One of the company’s founders, Tom Ojala has very kindly agreed to answer some of my points. It’s interesting to see countries like Australia embracing Wifi tethering whilst the UK places big restrictions ( 02 are you listening???) on anyone who wants to free their 3G connection from their phone. Here’s our Q & A.
Tom, can you clarify the situation for Windows Mobile users who want to use your software.
We don’t have a Windows Mobile version of JoikuSpot. There is a partner called Morose Media who ships Windows Mobile based version of 3G WiFi HotSpot. In Joikusoft’s opinion their product is great and performs very well as a wireless hotspot on WinMo platform. Joikusoft comarkets and resells Morose Media product at our AppStore www.joikushop.com.
Are you planning a version of Joikuspot for the iPhone?
We will publish any platform extensions when the time is right. Next, we will roll out Linux version of JoikuSpot for Nokia Maemo platform.
I see that you have licensed JoikuSpot to 3 Mobile in Australia. Are we likely to see a similar 3Spot application in the UK or does this conflict with existing products such as Mifi?
This is for 3 to comment. 3Spot is a success in Australian market. This is a quote from 3 in Australia regrding our software: Edwina Elliott, Corporate and Business PR Manager, Vodafone Hutchinson:
“3 mobile’s version of JoikuSpot, branded ’3Spot’ in Australia has been a unique, innovative addition to 3′s suite of Mobile Broadband solutions and supports its strategic company goals around driving mobile data uptake and usage. 3 Australia ranges the 3Spot application alongside its Mobile Broadband USB modem products, and has found that with clear product positioning these two solutions are complementary. 3Spot provides customers with an easy-to-use Mobile Internet proposition, and 3 has received positive feedback from its customers in relation to the 3Spot user experience. 3 Australia recommends the Joikusoft team, who have kindly shared their knowledge of Wi-Fi technology, understood and delivered on 3′s specific needs and overall have been a greatly responsive team to work with.”
Your software effectively removes the need for a USB dongle. Does this place you in direct competition with the mobile networks selling mobile broadband packages?
Quite the opposite. Our offering complements USB modem offerings by network operators. See the 3 Mobile quote above ref the very same matter. We see that operators can differentiate their broadband offerings by bundling JoikuSpot to their offerings, yet adding the overall sales for their mobile broadband subscriptions and data ARPU (average revenue per user) . JoikuSpot is a life saver when for instance you’ve left your USB modem at home, and need on demand internet, and operators get the data arpu anyway independent wether it originates from USB modem subscription or cell phone data subscription.
Some mobile operators such as 02 place restrictions on the use of ‘tethering’. Does using your software fall under these restrictions? Should I contact my mobile operator if I’m using Joikuspot?
Every operator has their own policies on e.g. data use. Users should act according to the contracts they make with their operators. If the opco denies tethering, then the user should not tether their data connection. We are simply enabling tethering on a mobile phone, which is absolutely legal, and operators may naturally define how their data subscriptions shall be used.
This is no different from e.g. Bluetooth tethering or cable (PCSuite) tethering. The bearer in our solution simply happens to be WiFi (as opposed to e.g. Bluetooth) which happens to be simpler and faster and that’s why many people use it (as opposed to e.g. Bluetooth which is slow and cumbersome, and only allows one connection at the time).
I see that it only makes sense for an operator to restrict tethering if they do not want people to consume 3G data that they have paid for..:-) which from the user perspective doesn’t make sense. If you subscribe for 3G data and actually pay for it, why would you not be able to use it in the most convenient or desired way, and why should you be locked to using it only via the mobile phones tiny browser? How can you efficiently perform email, or watch videos with such UI? or if the requirement is to use Bluetooth, how many people can actually do the peering?
Thanks for anwering my questions. Do you have any future developments that you’d like to tell us about?
Please see our website for JoikuBoost: See www.joikuboost.com and JoikuMetrix www.joikumetrix.com
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