LIVE FROM GSMA MOBILE 360 NORTH AMERICA: The “second wave of IoT” and the potential for mobile video to boost the education sector were two areas identified by AT&T’s Laurent Therivel as major growth opportunities, but the exec also admitted the industry could do a better job of extolling the wider benefits of technology.

Speaking in the opening keynote session this morning, Therivel, SVP – Mobile & Business Solutions Strategy at the number two US mobile operator, commented: “We still talk today about speeds. We don’t talk enough about the connectivity stories.”

He highlighted that mobile technology has the potential to reduce $30 billion of costs from the global healthcare system, while the industry’s connected car efforts could help improve traffic congestion and the associated environmental impact.

“Most of our efforts around mobile commerce have been around the banked [population sector],” he added. “The dramatic change will be bringing financial services to the unbanked.”

Asked by moderator Michael O’Hara (GSMA chief marketing officer) whether the mobile sector doesn’t get the credit it deserves, Therivel responded: “Credit’s a dangerous word to use. It has a negative connotation. I think we have an opportunity to change our messaging and talk about the services we deliver. I don’t think consumers fully connect the dots between the life they lead, the services available to them and the network that provides it.

“I don’t think folks should feel sorry for us, it’s an opportunity for us to change the way we message and advocate for the capabilities we bring. I think we have the opportunity to grasp the emotional feel a little more. We’ve missed out on that.

“Mobile education, mobile health – what we do is really cool, I just don’t think we advocate for it the right way.”

DirecTV acquisition
Therivel claimed that recent moves by operators into the content and media space will ensure a healthy future. “The industry is putting a huge amount of investment in innovation. I think over time that will manifest itself in some very compelling services. We don’t plan on standing still with our DirecTV acquisition – we want to lead the world in mobile video. We don’t think anyone will beat us.”

He also believes that operators are now in a better position to compete with OTT players, suggesting that consumers will become frustrated by a lack of interoperability from these services. “There may be a tipping point here in the next few years. They will want them to interoperate. It will be interesting to watch how the industry adapts to that.”

As for the nascent IoT market, Therivel says the next phase of connected device growth “will equal the value we’ve seen generated from the rise of the internet.”

And his other big growth tip – mobile video – will be a huge opportunity. “The cost of education in the US is astronomical. Mobile tech and mobile video has the ability to drive transformational opportunities in education.”