Study: The Digital Challenge | Page 10

10 04 OVERCOME OBSTACLES, SEIZE DRIVING FORCES However, the development of such new business models is not just a question of having the right ideas at the right time. The parameters must be right, too. Study participants said that high market regulation is their greatest obstacle. Driving forces are trends in demand as well as continuous development of technology. IMPEDIMENTS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW BUSINESS MODELS REGULATORY STRUCTURAL Extensive security requirements, especially with respect to data privacy and consumer protection. Less leeway for telcos compared with the OTTs due to their different regulatory treatment and the dictate of net neutrality. OTTs do not pay any fees for using the networks, whereas the cost of investing in network expansion is borne by the telcos. In part, legislation is responsible for unattractive parameters/ lack of investment incentives for infrastructure projects. Customer skepticism toward business models that are based on the analysis of personal data. Telcos have a disadvantage compared with the OTTs, because operating the networks requires extensive resources and limits the companies’ flexibility. Much need for investments in the face of uncertain returns. goetzpartners also sees the following structural impediments: 1. Consumers’ declining willingness to pay, especially for communication services. According to numbers published by TeleGeography, the average revenue per user (ARPU) in wireless services (which includes all revenue of a mobile network operator) in recent years has been dropping in almost all industrialized countries. (For example, CAGR for 2011-2016 was -2% in Germany, -7% in France, and -2% in the U.S.) 2) 2. Lack of openness toward new business models among consumers/companies, especially in Central Europe. 3. Lack of risk capital for new business models and lack of an appetite for risk. 4. Conflict with legacy systems, meaning there may be the risk that a new business model could cannibalize one’s current core business. Start-ups do not have this problem, because they lack a core business. 2) Emerging markets: In India and Russia, this trend is just beginning to emerge. After several years of continuous decline, Brazil and China recorded gains (the former in 2015 and both countries in 2016) compared with the relevant previous year.