Alcatel-Lucent’s mobile ad move

Alcatel-Lucent is supplying technology for a new mobile advertising mechanism based on location and opt-in messaging. The idea is to locate users within a specified distance of a retail location and then send them text messages about special sales, etc.

This is a very positive development for Alcatel-Lucent because it demonstrates the company is prepared to take on service-layer issues on behalf of its customers and also to step in to help prevent disintermediation of operators by OTT players (Google Latitude comes to mind).