FAQ

Which areas do you research?

For now: VoIP, IP TV, Mobile VAS, and Communication Chips.

What products/services do you sell?

We sell quarterly reports on VoIP, IP TV, and Communications Chips; Annual report on the same areas; One-off reports. We also carry out custom research in telecommunications.

What is covered in quarterlies?

Analysis of quarterly shipment data from companies in the market segment.

What is covered in annual reports?

An annual data analysis plus the qualitative discussions.

What is the coverage like?

The coverage is global and regional. We do not go down to country level though.

If I subscribe to more reports, can I get discount?

Yes.

Will you be publishing quarterlies in other areas as well in the future?

Yes. Please see our roadmap here.

Can I request a sample of the research report?

We usually provide executive summary of a particular report if you wish to see sample research.

What is the research methodology you follow?

Unfortunately, we do not apply rocket science. Our market research methodology is fairly straightforward. We identify an emerging market segment/sub-segment, profile vendors and service providers in the segment, carry out web based and other background research on companies and the segment, and then move onward to phone interviews with major players in the segment. By the time phone interaction is carried out by the researcher, he/she has enough background knowledge on the market segment which enables him/her to interact with the experts within the companies we research. During interviews (or post interviews) we collect data, followed by some data analysis (particularly market size and market share analysis) which is then presented in the final report.

How do you cross check the shipment data you receive from equipment vendors?

Usually that data is substantiated through a list of customers to which the vendor supplies each quarter. We however do not call service providers and ask them whether they purchased equipment from such and such vendor in the quarter. Any research house that tells you that is insulting your intelligence. Service providers do not disclose such information. For annual reports however, we do a round of service provider interviews each year in which we ask them about deployments.

If a vendor does not share information with you, how do you make estimates on their shipments?

Most companies are proactive and want to update analysts about their progress each quarter. However if there are gaps, we send our estimates to companies for their comments. These estimates usually have a history and have been discussed with the relevant companies frequently each quarter to make sure that they are not numbers out of the blue. In addition to that, we do some ‘due diligence’ work by cross checking with their suppliers/partners and established service provider customers.

If we want to be covered in the quarterlies but are concerned about the confidentiality?

If there are parts of data you do not want us to make direct reference to, we can sign NDA with you, as we do with several other companies. You can email us your NDA and instruct which bits you feel sensitive about.

Why should I be buying market research?

Companies buy market research for various reasons. The main motivation is to understand the market that concerns them. Companies that are already operating in a certain market segment may wish to see some competitor analysis and establish where exactly they are positioned in the market. Market research is often used as an input for decision making related to investment in companies and new products. If certain market players feature prominently in a market research report, they often leverage such information for marketing messages through press releases. There are various other reasons for purchasing market research reports.

What are these research bites / blogs you have on your site? And if they are free why should I then buy the research reports?

The research bites / blogs we provide are mostly updates on the interaction we have with companies while carrying out the research. They are by no means the content published in the report. A report carries far more in-depth qualitative and quantitative analysis than the blogs.

Do you provide forecasts as well? How often do you provide forecasts?

We provide forecasts in our annual reports mainly. But we also do quarterly/six-monthly forecasts.

What is the forecasting methodology you use?

We do not use regression analysis to forecast the number of subscribers of a service that is first of its kind in the market and has been announced this morning. But yes, some growth curves here and there. Usually the method is based on our own understanding of the market and what we hear from the market players.

What does the name iLocus mean, and how did you come up with this name?

‘i’ for information; ‘Locus’ as in ancient Greek geometry … a location where certain mathematical conditions are satisfied. It was never meant to mean that, but we would like to think that iLocus meets your market information requirements. If you would like to know how we came up with the name, please email us.

Where is iLocus based?

We have an office in the Himalayas but our researchers can be based anywhere including New York.

Who is on iLocus team?

The ones that blog for you are the researchers. If you would like to know who looks after our PBX, please email us.

Where are your customers based?

Our customers could be subscribers of our quarterlies or they could buy a one-off report. We have over 200 such customers, from at least 25 different countries worldwide.

Do you have any customers in Mongolia?

Sounds like a politically incorrect question! But, yes, we do.

Who are your customers?

You can view selected names here.

Who are your main customers?

You mean who accounted for 10% (or above) of our revenues in recent quarters? You will have to get that information from our S1 when we file it.

You have any endorsements?

Our research has been quoted in over 100 journals worldwide. It has been endorsed by numerous press releases so far. Our research has been quoted in Nasdaq IPO prospectuses, used as basis by regulators to draft rules, and used by reporters of leading business dailies like The Wall Street Journal, Financial Time, Nikkei etc. You can also view a few customer comments here.

Do you write about press announcements in your blogs?

No, we do not.

How can we be covered in your research?

Please write to us. We would love to hear from you.

Can I send you a lead to write about?

We do not exactly follow a ‘lead’. If it is not a press announcement of some sort, then yes. Please write to us about the ‘lead’.

What are the “Themes” on your site?

They are areas currently being researched. You may expect a paper/report to be published on the ‘Theme’.

How can we be interviewed/covered under a Theme?

Please write to us.

Can I suggest a Theme?

Sure. Again, please write to us with your suggestion.

How can I get my CEO interviewed?

Write to us.

Can we get custom research done from iLocus?

Yes you can send the RFP by email.

Can I quote your research?

If it is out of paid research report, please email us first. If it is out of blog post, feel free to link to it or quote it.

As a non-iLocus person, can I contribute to the blogs?

You will need to be a contributing researcher in order to be able to do that. Please contacts for details.

Do you work with market research resellers?

Yes, for one-off reports.

We want to purchase a report but do not want to do so directly. Can we use some agent to purchase this for us?

Yes, you may use companies such as Mindbranch.

Will I receive the report immediately after ordering via credit card?

There is usually a lead time of one day. But we are working on instant downloads. If you want it immediately, best to email us and pay later. We do post payments with most customers.

If I subscribe to your reports/quarterlies, will our company gain better exposure in your reports?

No. However, we can work with you to establish new sub-categories where you might be among the leaders, so that your position is better articulated.

Do you work with banks and VCs?

Yes we do. We have worked on fundings, M&A advisory roles, done some equity research, and written some internal client reports on certain sectors for some investment banks and VCs.

Do you take advertising on your website?

We have not done that so far. But if the offer is suitable, we may consider. If you need our web stats you may write to us.

What form do you deliver the research in?

PDF format.

iLocus is not a listed vendor in our system. How can I order your report then?

You can pay by credit card or you can forward us the necessary forms to get us listed as a qualified vendor.

What methods do I pay by?

You can post-pay (by check or wire) or pre-pay (online credit card) as well.

Your payment gateway does not work easily?

We take most of our payments through wire. However if you insist to pay by credit card, we will shortly be adding Paypal option for online payments.