Mobile service an odds-on winner: ""
A study from Sweden has some encouraging information for the telecom world: there is big business potential in offering mobile services designed for spectators at sporting events. If you need more proof, read on.
Tuesday, 30 May, 2006
TrottingPal, a handheld mobile device that allowed spectators to exchange information with each other and access event-related information.
Picture yourself at a car rally. It is a sunny day and cars are hurtling pass the area where you are standing, at somewhat of a distance from the main arena. You are curious about the latest ranking but you cannot hear what is being said on the loudspeaker system because of the noise from the crowd. Do you: a) Move closer to the main arena; b) Ask another spectator if you can listen to his radio; or c) Use your mobile to access the latest event-related information?
If you were Andreas Nilsson from Sweden, your answer would be “c.” With a group of fellow researchers, Nilsson has studied what happens when spectators at a sporting event are given the technology to interact with event-related information. He discovered that it greatly enhanced their experience at the event.