Welcome to the fall edition of theWireless Evolution Insider. Although ithas been a while since your last read ordelete test, I will not try to offer a validreason for the delay…suffice it to saythere have not been enough hours with-out interruption for me to put togetherthe conscious stream of random thoughtsrequired for publication. That said, mygood friend and colleague Mark hasstruck a deal with my new good friendsat Baskerville to let Danny and crew dothe heavy lifting. Baskerville will nowprovide content and various lists for yourreading or deleting pleasure. While weagreed to maintain the somewhat starkformat of the Evolution Insider, Dannyhas spiced it up a bit with some flashesof colour. But rest assured, you will notbe marketed or sold…I retain control ofyour email addresses and reaffirm mypolicy not to use them for anythingexcept to distribute the WirelessEvolution Insider…you have my swornword on this… So with this publicationour partnership with Baskerville begins. Ibelieve it is a true win / win for the tri-partite relationship; Baskerville, the GSMAssociation and most importantly, you.Let me know what you think of the newformat and content. Adjustments canalways be made to provide you with thebestest, freeest GSMwirelessest stuffmoney can’t buy…
The next GSMA Plenary meeting willtake place in Istanbul, Turkey from the14th through the 17th of October hostedby Tel Sim. There will be several impor-tant informational seminars taking place
in Istanbul including the new and recentmembers “getting connected” workshop– benefits of the Global CertificationForum – and an operator data successstory seminar facilitated yours truly. Inaddition, RoamFest II will bring togetheroperators to bilaterally negotiate and / orexecute data and voice roaming agree-ments with their colleagues from aroundthe world. RoamFest I in Rome was ahuge success and this one promises to beeven bigger, with twice as many dele-gates pre-registered with over two weeksyet to go before the big event…let’s hopethe utopian world of data roaming is sig-nificantly advanced by those comingtogether in Istanbul for RoamFest II…ifyou are not registered, you may still beable to get in…hurry though – and forthose unable to attend, visit the GSMAInfoCentre for meeting documents whichwill be available for members to reviewwhile trying to fall asleep at night worry-ing about their stock portfolios. Sort ofcomforting in a bizarre kinda way…andwhen you do, check out the 2003 DraftBusiness Plan for insight into what isplanned for the coming months. Maybenot the greatest novel ever produced, butquite possibly worthy of a nomination forsome sort of literary award…
And finally, some musings of aderanged mind beginning with me ask-ing aloud why GSM devices don’t looklike the “other” technology’s devicescoming out of a certain Asian country bya company that starts with Sam and endswith a song? I just love thosethings…even though I am assured over
contents
News 1-2
Dear John 3
Data
GPRS operators 5
GPRS networks 6GPRS terminals
MMS launches 7EDGE operators
MMS handset launches 8
Mobile Location Analyst 10
Mobile Internet 11
Mobile Messaging Analyst 12
Mobile Communications 14
In association with
www.baskerville.telecoms.com
New, expanded Wireless Evolution Insider...
WIRELESS INTELLIGENCE FROM THE GSM ASSOCIATION October, 2002
© Copyright GSM Association
October, 2002 2© Copyright GSM Association
Wireless Evolution Insider
and over that those great color screenswill soon hit the GSM market, I wonderaloud just when? I’m 45 and not sure Iwill live to actually purchase one or two– at least in the US where we are techno-logically challenged…that said, it is niceto see the plethora of new terminaldevices coming forth including theXDA…I love mine…as I have said before,I dream in color, I just can’t buy manyGSM devices that think in colour, at leastnot just yet. It gives me something to livefor though. On a recent visit to Asia I wasbored and calculatedthat in the past 17years, I have conserva-tively sat inside a fly-ing tube at 35,000 feetfor about 400 days.Yes, it is true…I havespent over one year,some 525,600 min-utes worth thereof, fly-ing. If I add in the time spent traveling toand from, and then actually wasting timesitting in airports, I gotta believe thatwould add in at least another half year,maybe a full 365 days, 24 hours per. Iliked it better when I thought of it as 2.5million miles worth…it sounds morepalatable. And penultimately. On arecent flight, I somehow was assigned awindow seat by mistake, fell asleep andwhen I awoke, I looked down and sawhundreds of circular irrigation patterns inthe fields below me. My mind couldn’tplace the country and after staring forwhat seemed like hours, I figured it out. Iwas looking at the rivets on the wing,neatly aligned in rows, one after anoth-er…just another of the many true travelstories I have experienced and thenpromptly forgotten…no wonder they call
me abbynormal…
EDGE is gaining momentum …The firstoperator outside of North and SouthAmerica has now announced their inten-tion to implement EDGE. Telstra’s GeneralManager of 3G Technology, KevinPhillips, has confirmed the Australianoperator will implement EDGE. Anotherfirst! Why? EDGE provides an increase inboth speed and capacity over GPRS. Costmay be an issue in the business caseanalysis – especially if the underlying BTS
infrastructure is noteasily upgradeable(read older). But if theequipment is easilyupgradeable, EDGEmay make a great evo-lution option. In theend, terminal devicesmay be the key toEDGE success on a
global basis. Unless devices are devel-oped with multiple band and transporttechnologies as integral components, takeup of the EDGE solution may wane…let’ssee what develops!
And last but not least, GPRSDemystified is now available in yourfavorite bookstores for your readingpleasure. Since it is printed on paper, youwill have to actually throw it in the rub-bish as I deleted the delete button. Mythanks to the contributors who helpedme put it together and to McGraw-Hillfor publishing the text. Pick up acopy…until then; I hope you enjoy thenew Wireless Insider brought to you bythe GSM Association in conjunction withBaskerville. Let me know what youthink…Best regards, John Hoffman
To subscribe forFREE to WirelessEvolution Insiderplease:
E-mail: [email protected]: “Subscription toWireless EvolutionInsider”
Wireless Evolution Insideris a bi-monthly electronicnewsletter produced bythe GSM Associationwhich containsinformation on wirelessdata issues includingGPRS, EDGE and 3GSM /WCDMA. WirelessEvolution Insider iswritten by JohnHoffmann, SeniorDirector of TechnologyEvolution for the GSMAssociation. John isresponsonsible for themanagement of theAssociation’s technicalevolution programmeincluding GSM, GPRS,EDGE and 3rd Generation.
Data and additionalstories in WirelessEvolution Insider arewritten by Baskerville,part of Informa TelecomsGroup. Baskerville’s teamof 40 editors, reportersand analysts with morethan 100 years combinedexperience writing for thetelecoms industry, as wellas an internationalnetwork ofcorrespondents in 30countries, provides theleading source ofanalysis, news andcomment in the telecomsindustry.
http://www.gsmworld.com“This publication is subject to copyright protection. The GSM Association makes no representation,
warranty or undertaking (express or implied) with respect to and does not accept any responsibility
for, and hereby disclaims liability for the accuracy or completeness or timeliness of the information
contained in this document.”
... several opera-tors are close tomaking acommitment onEDGE ...
Dear John,
You are way too North American centric...or you
believed that Charlie Brown knew what he was talking
about...after the Japanese, came all the Nordic coun-
tries in 1981 with NMT...not sure AT&T even made the
top five in the whole world...but they were first in North
America...in 1983 in Chicago! Everyone tries to rewrite
History! George Schmitt
Dear George,
I never use names in my work. However in this case, I am mak-
ing an exception as you are indeed the father of GSM and a
good friend. Thanks for setting me straight…I was never good
at history – or anything else I studied – all eight years of col-
lege worth…but I do resent being called a NACentric.
Abbynormal, yes. Centric mosttimes. North American cen-
tric…never! I just have my mail posted there…
Dear John,
Sometime ago you mentioned you were putting togeth-
er a book about GPRS. When is it going to be done?
Dear Book Lover,
I am proud to say that GPRS Demystified is now available!
Who knows why McGraw-Hill Publishing wanted me involved
with a book. I am sure they will never be so foolish again…but
alas, all 457 pages are now bound together for your reading
pleasure...
The back cover says (and I didn’t write this text)…
“GPRS unpacked, ironed out, and delivered in plain English.
Industry insiders who pioneered some of the earliest General
Packet Radio Service networks and applications speak out on
market, the GPRS business case, their implementation experi-
ence, and operational obstacles for providers and operators to
hurdle now.
Edited in a clear, jargon-suppressed style by John Hoffman,
Senior Consulting Director of the GSM Association, GPRS
Demystified culls insightful contributions from companies in
the mobile data industry who have “been there, done that” and
are prepared to do it again. Profit from their experience as they
tell you what you need to know about GPRS in real-world con-
text including:
The next step toward 3G networks, and hot to build robust
services within it / GPRS in perspective – viewpoints on com-
petition, costs, interoperability, pluses, minuses and technolo-
gy lifespan / Lessons learned from WAP and other forebears /
Roaming state-of-the-art and trends / Functionality of first gen-
eration terminals / How GPRS will change the basis business
practices of GSM operators / And much more.
For anyone who wants a thoughtful way to get up to speed
on the services that are paving the way for the next generations
networking, GPRS Demystified is a MUST read”.
A very special thanks to my friends and industry colleagues
who contributed to the book: Laurent Bernard, France
Telecom; Charles Brookson, CEng FIEE AFRIN; Clif
Campbell, Cingular Wireless; Simon Cavenett, Mondo Techo
LLC; Robert Conway, GSM Association; Carolyn Davies,
Baskerville; Axel Doerner, Vodafone; Scott Fox, Wireless
Facilities, Inc.; Kim Fullbrook, O2; David Gordon, Orange
Israel; Conchi Gutierrez, Telefónica Móviles; Gerhard Heinzel,
Swisscom Mobile; Babak Jafarian, Wireless Facilities, Inc.;
Stephan Keuneke, T-Mobile International; Joerg Kramer,
Vodafone; Rainer Lischetzski, Motorola; Philippe Lucas,
Orange France; Jarnail Malra, O2; Yves Martin, Orange
France; Clark Misul, Detecon; Lauro Ortigoza Guerrero,
Wireless Facilities, Inc.; Carsten Otto, T-Mobile; Stella Penso,
Turkcell; Carol Politi, Megisto Systems; Tage Rasmussen,
End2End; Jessica Roberts, Nokia; Dr. Jack Rowley, GSM
Association; Rafael Ruiz de Valbuena Bueno, Telefónica
Móviles; Richard Schwartz, SoloMio; Mark Smith, GSM
Association; Darren Thompson, VoiceStream; Colin Watts,
Lucent Technologies; Randy Wohlert, SBC Communications;
Graham Wright, Lucent Technologies and Marjorie Spenser,
McGraw-Hill Telecom
Information about GPRS Demystified is available at:
www.gsmworld.com or www.gsmworld.com/technology/gprs
Please note that any money earned from the book is being
donated to charity…this was a labor of love (and at times hate),
not of money…enjoy!
Dear John,
Thanks for the valuable news. I just thought, when read-
ing the sentence about operators which are “ready for
roaming” – that would be very beneficial information to
have it as another column – showing the status by all
operators having commercial in-country GPRS. I would
“accept” only those operators having solved technical
connection AND also billing. It would also be great hav-
ing the GRX relevant information (who is connected
with which GRX) – but I think there could be the confi-
dentiality problem?
October, 2002 3© Copyright GSM Association
Dear John Wireless Evolution Insider
Dear Ready for GPRS Roaming,
GPRS information is almost impossible to keep current or
accurate. My research staff is limited to me filing incoming
announcements from operators around the world who launch
GPRS. There is no accurate method of collecting the
data…except to contact each operator directly. I can’t do that
myself, too much work for my fingers…that said, the Wireless
Insider relationship with Baskerville will allow new data to be
provided via your pc regarding investments in technology and
maybe even about which GPRS operators have selected
which GRX carriers. As long as the information is in the public
domain, listing it isn’t a problem. So keep sending me your
announcements and I will forward it along to the appropriate
folks for charting…
Dear John,
Honest Abe – just last week I was wondering when we
were going to hear from you again. And then...V-WHALA!
But like you’ve said (more than once or twice)...better
late than never! Congratulations on your growing popu-
larity! I’m far from an expert in this industry (still quite
an amateur actually) but I think it’s very well deserved.
Along with your humor (that cracks us up) and a slight
glimpse every now and then into your personal life
(that’s not a chip on your shoulder that reads “ex-wife”,
is it John??) :o) the guts of it are, believe it or not, very
informative and even...interesting. Does that make me a
geek? And I can’t say I’m not to blame for getting your
name out there – WEI, aka, Voiceless GSM has been
attached to my “weekly industry/market/news
updates” sent to co-workers in the past. And will be this
week as well. Keep it up John! Looking forward to my
next Read / Delete option...
Dear Honest Abe,
Here it is…your next Read / Delete option. Sorry it has taken
sooooo darn long to get another edition out. But I have a rea-
son…my dog ate them before they were released. I mean I was
hospitalized with a near death experience / disease. Then my
left wrist was overtaken by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and I
couldn’t type, and then my voice to text software wouldn’t rec-
ognize my accent…you get the picture…
OK, the truth…I don’t have a dog. She died six years ago…I
have just been lazy. Now I am getting unlazier with the help of
my new partner, Baskerville. They will do the heavy lifting and I
get to do the fun stuff. Like answer Dear John questions.
Which brings me to another confession. I don’t really hate my
ex-wife. I just enjoy making fun of her because it is fun.
Fortunately she doesn’t read this rag, at least I don’t think she
does. Actually I admire her abilities, people skills and her drive.
We just do better living a few miles apart from each other.
When she retired from the GSM industry after stepping down
as Chair of the GSM Association in 1996, the industry lost a
talent. But being the new age, renaissance kinda guy that I am,
I let her make the mistake and never said a word. In fact I sup-
ported her decision to spend time with our kids. I do believe
the industry lost a good friend and real talent, but our kids
gained a full time mom. Now that they are older, maybe she will
someday rejoin the industry and support me instead of the
other way around…
Dear John,
I have got a simple question: is the frequency used for
WCDMA in Japan the same as the one used in Europe.
In other words, will the actual FOMA phones like the
N2002 or P2101 work someday on European WCDMA
networks when roaming is in place?
Dear N2002 / P2101 user,
Firstly, there are no simple questions in life, but sometimes
there are simple answers. Yes, FOMAfones will work with
other WCDMA networks as they come on line and are inter-
connected for roaming…except in the US where our govern-
ment decided to go their own way and not recognise the rec-
ommendations of the ITU to set aside 3G frequencies like the
rest of the world…Americans.
Dear John,
You weren’t serious about the “killer apps” mention in
the last issue, were you?
Dear Killer,
Well, no, operators have many good ideas for the “killer apps”
for GPRS and WCDMA. Audio and video streaming, broad-
cast, gaming all have the potential for bringing the killer app to
the subscriber. In the end, I am convinced it will be applica-
tions that make or break wireless data success in the market-
place. Whatever operators end up providing in the way of
applications for their customers, the successful operators will
be the ones that meet the needs of their customers…whatever
those needs may be.
October, 2002 4© Copyright GSM Association
Dear John Wireless Evolution Insider
October, 2002 5© Copyright GSM Association
Data Wireless Evolution Insider
Country Operator StatusArgentina Telecom Pesonal TestingAustralia C & W Optus CommercialAustralia Telstra CommercialAustralia Vodafone CommercialAustria Connect Austria CommercialAustria Max.Mobil CommercialAustria Mobilkom CommercialAustria tele.ring CommercialBelgium Proximus CommercialBelgium Mobistar CommercialBelgium Orange TestingBulgaria Mobitel CommercialCanada Microcell CommercialCanada Rogers AT&T CommercialChile Entel Telefonica CommercialChinese Provinces (15) China Mobile TestingChinese Provinces (16) China Mobile CommercialCroatia CroNet CommercialCroatia VIP NET CommercialCzech Republic Oskar Mobil CommercialCzech Republic EuroTel CommercialCzech Republic Paegas CommercialDenmark Orange TestingDenmark Sonofon CommercialDenmark TDC Mobil CommercialDenmark Telia CommercialEgypt Mobinil TestingEstonia EMT CommercialFinland Alands Mobiltelefon Ab CommercialFinland Radiolinja CommercialFinland Sonera CommercialFinland Suomen 2G CommercialFinland Telia CommercialFrance Bouygues Telecom CommercialFrance Orange CommercialFrance SFR CommercialFrench W. Indies Fr. Caraïbe Mobiles ImplementingGeorgia Geocell TestingGermany D2 Vodafone CommercialGermany E-Plus Mobilfunk CommercialGermany T-Mobil CommercialGermany Viag Interkom CommercialGreece Cosmote TestingGreece Panafon CommercialGreece Tele Stet CommercialHong Kong Hutchison CommercialHong Kong New World CommercialHong Kong PCCW CommercialHong Kong SmarTone CommercialHungary Pannon GSM CommercialHungary Westel CommercialIceland Iceland Telecom CommercialIceland TAL CommercialIndia BPL CommercialIndonesia Indosat Multimedia Mobile CommercialIreland Vodafone CommercialIsrael Cellcom TestingIsrael Orange CommercialItaly Blu SpA CommercialItaly Omnitel CommercialItaly TIM CommercialItaly Wind CommercialJordan JMTS-Fastlink CommercialKuwait Mobile Telecommunications Co CommercialLebanon Cellis CommercialLebanon Libancell Commercial
Country Operator StatusLiechtenstein Mobilkom CommercialLithuania Bite GSM CommercialLithuania Omnitel CommercialLuxembourg LuxGSM CommercialLuxembourg Tango CommercialMalaysia Cellcom TestingMalaysia Digi TestingMalaysia Maxis TesingMalaysia Time Wireless CommercialMalaysia TMtouch TestingMalta Go Mobile TestingMalta Vodafone CommercialNetherlands BEN CommercialNetherlands KPN CommercialNetherlands Vodafone CommercialNetherlands O2 CommercialNew Zealand Vodafone CommercialNorway NetCom CommercialNorway Telenor CommercialPhilippines Globe Telecom CommercialPhilippines Smart Communications CommercialPoland Centertel CommercialPoland Era GSM CommercialPoland Plus GSM CommercialPortugal Optimus CommercialPortugal TELECEL S.A. CommercialPortugal TMN CommercialRomania Orange Romania CommercialRomania Connex CommercialRussia KB Impuls (Beeline) CommercialRussia Mobile Telesystems (MTS) CommercialSaudi Arabia Saudi Telecom Company STC TestingSingapore MobileOne CommercialSingapore SingTel CommercialSingapore Starhub CommercialSlovenia SI.MOBIL CommercialSouth Africa MTN CommercialSpain Vodafone CommercialSpain Amena CommercialSpain Telefonica CommercialSweden Tele 2 CommercialSweden Vodafone CommercialSweden Telia CommercialSwitzerland Orange CommercialSwitzerland Sunrise (formally DiAX) CommercialSwitzerland Swisscom CommercialTaiwan Chunghwa Telecom CommercialTaiwan FarEasTone TestingTaiwan KG Telecom CommercialThailand Advance Info Service CommercialThailand DTAC CommercialTurkey Aria CommercialTurkey Aycell CommercialTurkey Telsim CommercialTurkey Turkcell CommercialUAE Etisalat CommercialUK O2 CommercialUK T-Mobile TestingUK Orange CommercialUK Vodafone CommercialUnited States AT&T Wireless CommercialUnited States Cingular CommercialUnited States MBO Wireless CommercialUnited States Sprocket TestingUnited States Voicestream CommercialSource: Global Mobile and GSM Association
GPRS operators
October, 2002 6© Copyright GSM Association
Data Wireless Evolution Insider
Country OperatorBahrain BatelcoBelgium BASEBolivia EntelBolivia Nuevatel CSBrazil TelemarBulgaria GloBulCosta Rica I.C.E.Cyprus CYTAEl Salvador PersonalEstonia RadioinjaHong Kong Peoples PhoneHong Kong SundayHungary VodafoneIceland Landssimi
Country OperatorIndia Spice CommsIndia Birla AT&T – GujaratIndia Birla AT&T – MaharashtraIndia Tata CellularIndia BPL – MumbaiIndia Escotel – HaryanaIndia Escotel – KeralaIndonesia SatelindoIndonesia TelkomselIreland O2Liechtenstein Viag Europlatform Mexico TelcelMorocco Maroc Telecom Netherlands Dutchtone
Country OperatorPakistan UfonePanama TelCAQatar Q-TelRussia Sonic DuoTaiwan MobitaiTaiwan Taiwan CellularTaiwan TransAsiaThailand TA OrangeTunisia Tunisie Telecom Ukraine KyivstarUkraine UMCYugoslavia MobtelSource: Global Mobile and GSM Associaton
GPRS networks under construction
GPRS terminalsVendor Model Market Date Frequency Bands Multi-slot ClassAlcatel 502 Available 900 / 1800 1+1Alcatel 701 Available 900 / 1800 4+1Alcatel 702 Available 900 / 1800 4+1Alcatel OneTouch 715 Available 900 / 1800 Class 10Audiovox GP710 Available 900 / 1800 4+1Audiovox GDX300 Available 900 / 1800 4+1Danger Hiphop Available - -Delacom Mobicard PCMCIA Available 900 / 1800 4+1Ericsson GM47 Available 900 / 1800 -Ericsson GM48 Available 850 / 1900 -Ericsson T39m Available 900 / 1800 / 1900 3+1 Ericsson T65 Available 900 / 1800 -Ericsson T68 (i) Available 900 / 1800 / 1900 -Ericsson R520m Available 900 / 1800 / 1900 3+1 Ericsson R600 Available 900 / 1800 -GTran Wireless DotSurfer PCMCIA Available 1800 4+2GTran Wireless DotSurfer PCMCIA Available 900 / 1800/1900GTran Wireless GPC-7001 PCMCIA Available 901 / 1800/1900 Class 10GTran Wireless GPC 7002 PCMCIA Q2 2002 902 / 1800/1900 Class 10GTran Wireless GPC 7003 PCMCIA Available 903 / 1800/1900Handspring Treo 180 Available 900 / 1900 -Handspring Treo 270 Available 900 / 1900 -Motorola T260 Available 900 / 1800/1900 2+1 Motorola T280 Available 900 / 1800/1900 4+1 Motorola Talkabout 192 Available 900 / 1800/1900 4+1 Motorola Timeport P7389i Available 900 / 1800/1900 2+1Motorola Timeport P7382i Available 1900 2+1 Motorola Accompli 8 Available 900 / 1800/1900 3+1 Motorola Accompli 9 Available 900 / 1800/1900Motorola V Series V66 Available 900 / 1800/1900 4+1Motorola V Series vV60 Available 900 / 1800/1900Motorola V Series V70 AvailableNEC N21i Available - -NEC 515 QUADBAND Available 800/900/1800/1900 Class 8NEC DB7000 Available EGSM 900 / 1800 Class 8Newolution Web Box Available EGSM 900 / 1800 Class 8Nokia 3510 Available 900 / 1800 -Nokia 6310 Available 900 / 1800 -Nokia 6310i Available 900 / 1800 / 1900 -Nokia 6510 Available 900 / 1800 -Nokia 7650 Available EGSM900/GSM1800Nokia 8310 Available 900 / 1800 -Nokia 8910 Available 900 / 1800 -Nokia 30 M2M Available EGSM900 Class 6 (3+1,2+2,2+1)Nokia D211 Available EGSM900/GSM1800Novatel Merlin G100 Available 1900 4+2 Novatel Expedite G301 2002 900/1800/1900 4+2 O2(Formally BT Cellnet) xda Available EGSM900/GSM1800 Class B Option Globetrotter Available 900/1800/1900 4+2 Panasonic GD96 Available 900 / 1800 4+1Philips Fisio 610 Available 900 / 1800 3+1 Class 4Philips Fisio 611 Available - 3+1 Class 10Philips Fisio 620 Available - 3+1 Class 10
October, 2002 7© Copyright GSM Association
Data Wireless Evolution Insider
Philips Fisio 820 Available 900 / 1800 3+1 Class 10Pretec Compact GPRS Card Available 900 / 1800 -RIM BlackBerry Available 900 / 1800 or 1900 only 1+1 0r 2+1RIM BlackBerry 5810 AvailableSagem MW959 Available 900 / 1800 2+1 or 3+1Sagem MW950 Available 900 / 1800 3+1Sagem OT190, OT130 Available 900 / 1800 3+1Samsung SGH-S100 Available 900 / 1800 4+1 Class 8Samsung SGH-Q100 Available 900 / 1800 4+1Samsung SGH-Q105 Available 900 / 1800 4+1 Class 8Samsung SGH-Q200 Available 900 / 1800 -Sendo Z100 Available 900 / 1800/1900 3+2Sierra Wireless AirCardI 700 Available - -Sierra Wireless AirCardI 710 Available 1900 4+4 class 12Sierra Wireless AirCardI 750 Available 900 / 1800 /1900 4+4 class 12Sierra Wireless SB 750 Available 900 / 1800/1900 4+4 class 12Sharp Zaurus - -Siemens AC35 Available EGSM900/GSM1800 4+1Siemens S45 Available EGSM900/GSM1800Siemens ME45 Available EGSM900/GSM1800Siemens SX45 Available 900 / 1800 4+1Siemens M50 Available 900 / 1800 Class 8Sony DuettoDC Available 800/900/1800/1900 Class 12Sony Ericsson T61g 850 – 1900 -Sony Ericsson P800 Available 900/1800/1900Sony Ericsson P800 Multimedia Available 900 / 1800/1900Sony Ericsson T68i Available 900/1800/1900 -Mitsubishi Trium Eclipse Available EGSM 900/1800 MHz 4+1Mitsubishi Trium Odyssey Available EGSM 900/1800 MHz 2+1Mitsubishi Trium Geo GPRS Available 900 / 1800 2+1Mitsubishi Trium Mondo Available 900 / 1800 2+1Wavecom WISMO2C 900 / 1800 2+1, then 4+2Wavecom WMOi3 900 / 1800 4+1Web Tech Wireless Wireless Locator Available 900 / 1800/1900 Class 1, 2, 4Web Tech Wireless Wireless Connector Available 900 / 1800/1900 Class 1, 2, 4WMCS M100 Available 900 / 1800/1900 3 + 1 class 1, 2 and 4 WMCS M101 Available 900 / 1800/1900 3 + 1 class 1, 2 and 4 Xircom PCMCIA Available 4+2Source: GSM Association
Country Operator Launch DateAustria Mobilkom 5th JuneAustralia Telstra 8th AugustAustralia Optus 1st AugustCroatia VIP-Net 4th JuneFinland Sonera 11th JuneFinland Radiolinja 18th SeptemberFrance Orange 30th MayGermany T-Mobile UnknownGermany Vodafone D2 18th April Greece Cosmote 5th SeptemberGreece Stet Hellas 8th AugustGreece Vodafone 29th JulyHong Kong Hong Kong CSL 28th March Hong Kong Hutchinson UnknownHong Kong SmarTone 17th JuneHungary Westel 18th AprilItaly TIM 21st MayItaly Wind unknownJordan Fastlink 20th AugustNorway Telenor 12th March
Country Operator Launch DatePhilippines Globe 17th June Poland Plus GSM 1st JunePortugal Vodafone Telecel 11th MayPortugal Optimus 1st JunePortugal TMN 22nd MaySingapore SingTel Mobile 4th SeptemberSlovakia EuroTel Bratislava 3rd SeptemberSpain Amena 2nd JulySpain Telefonica Moviles 3rd SeptemberSweden Vodafone 1st OctoberSwitzerland Sunrise 17th JuneSwitzerland Swisscom 3rd JuneTurkey Turkcell 17th June UK T-Mobile 1st JuneUK Vodafone Summer 202UK O2 Summer 2002UK Orange 13th AugustUK Hutchinson 3G Summer 2002USA AT&T Wireless 17th June Source: Global Mobile and GSM Association
MMS launches
EDGE operatorsCountry Operator StatusUSA AT&T Wireless AnnouncedUSA Cingular Wireless AnnouncedUSA Voicestream AnnouncedMexico Telcel AnnouncedSource: GSM Association
Country Operator StatusArgentina Telecom Personal AnnouncedCanada Rogers Wireless AnnouncedBermuda BTC Mobility AnnouncedAustralia Telstra Announced
October, 2002 8© Copyright GSM Association
Data Wireless Evolution Insider
Nokia 3650The new handsetfrom Nokia, called the 3650, features a large color display,
ring tone composer, and numerous games. The 3650’s biggest feature, a
built-in camcorder, allows users to take up to 15 seconds of video images and
to transmit them to other mobile devices. The phone can also download real-
time video content and also comes equipped with Bluetooth access. The
phone will work on five continents using GSM/GPRS technology. The new
phone will not be commercially available until 2003. (source: www.nokia.com)
Brief Overview
Availability: 2003
Network: GSM 900, 1800 and 1900
Features: GPRS, WAP, JavaTM MIDP 1.0, Video Capture (Camcorder)
Features: Playback, Bluetooth, Email, MMS,
For more information on the 3650 and the additional features, please visit
Nokia Online. Demo the 3650 (requires Cult3d – auto loading from website
Sony Ericsson T68i – MCA-20 Camera (Available)The T68i has a 101 x 80 pixel colour screen and a wide range of imaging
features. Colourful themes and a dynamic picture library lets you give your
T68i your personal look and feel. Multimedia messaging (MMS) lets you
send quality pictures, photos and sound clips in sequenced messages. Use
pre-installed fun message templates to send impressive greetings. T68i has
e-mail and text messaging with pictures and sounds (EMS). It supports
GPRS for fast download and when you need to connect your laptop or PDA
to the Internet, T68i is your modem.
The unique snap-on digital camera for theT68i allows you to use the
screen of the T68i as a viewfinder. A picture can be combined to send
with a sound recording and text in a Multimedia message. You can also
beam a picture straight to another T68i. CommuniCam™ MCA-20 will
store 14 full size quality colour pictures and up to 208 smaller pictures.
Pictures taken with CommuniCam™ MCA-20 are suitable as T68i back-
ground pictures, e-mail attachments and Multimedia message content.
(source: www.sonyericsson.com)
Brief Overview
Availability: Q2 2002
Network: GSM 900, 1800 and 1900
Network Features: GPRS, EMS, HSCSD, WAP 2.0, WTLS class 3, SIM
App Toolkit
Features: Bluetooth, Email, MMS, MMS templates, Sync ML
For more information on the T68i and the additional features, please visit
Sony Ericsson. Demo the T68i (requires shockwave)
Sony Ericsson P800The P800 has a built-in digital camera for taking pictures and has a 208 x
320 pixel touch-screen to allow users to control the interface – and, if they
want, send pictures as an e-mail to a PC or as a message to another MMS
capable phone. The P800 can also show a colour picture of the person who
is calling, for that personal touch.
It has tri-band GPRS communications capabilities and includes Bluetooth.
Symbian OS 7.0 provides support for mobile Java applications, MMS, web
browsing, WAP and i-Mode. It includes a suite of PIM applications, viewing
software for popular office documents and can store up to 200 digital images.
The P800 runs on the latest version of the open operating system, Symbian
OS v7.0 and incorporates the recently announced UIQ pen-based user inter-
face. As the P800 is open, one can download applications, such as games,
based on Java and C++. This opens up possibilities in several applications
areas and it means that consumers will be able to update their handsets reg-
ularly with new applications and content. (source: www.sonyericsson.com)
Brief Overview
Availability: Q3 2002
Network: GSM 900, 1800 and 1900
Network Features: Symbian OS 7.0, GPRS, Bluetooth, WAP 2.0 incl
HTML, XML and cHTML
Features: SMS, EMS, MMS, Web Browser, Java,
For more information on the P800, please visit Sony Ericsson
Sony Ericsson T300 – MCA25 CameraThe T300 mobile phone offers multimedia applications like imaging, messag-
ing and gaming. Triple-band GSM/GPRS, color screen, polyphonic ring sig-
nals and MMS combine to deliver a complete messaging phone. With the
T300, a new digital snap-on camera accessory, the CommuniCam MCA-25.
Both the T300 and the digital camera will be on the market in Q4 2002.
The handset has a 256 colour screen, supports MMS, polyphonic sound,
exchangeable fronts, games and lots of imaging features. The 24-tone poly-
phonic feature makes the ring signals sound like real songs because the
phone can play several tones simultaneously. (source:
www.sonyericsson.com)
Brief Overview
Availability: Q4 2002
Network: GSM 900, 1800 and 1900
Network Features: GPRS
Features: SMS, MMS, WAP,
For more information on the T300, please visit Sony Ericsson
MMS handset launches
MMS handset launches (cont.)
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Nokia 3510i (Available)The Nokia 3510i is an MMS capable phone that can recieve MMS only, and
not send MMS. The technology contained in the Nokia 3510i is the start of
the MMS evolution, which will obviously progress as time goes on. With the
black and white display of the Nokia 3510i, users cannot fully utilize the
MMS ‘world’, however they are already able to receive polyphonic ringing
tones and graphics via MMS messages that they can use to personalize
and enrich their phones in a totally new way. (source: www.nokia.com)
Brief Overview
Availability: Q2 2002
Network: EGSM 900, GSM 1800
Network Features: GPRS, WAP 2.0
Features: SMS, MMS
For more information on the 3510i, please visit Nokia
Nokia 7210Released in Q3 2002, the Nokia supports Multimedia Messaging Service
(MMS) and WAP over GPRS. The Nokia 7210 supports downloadable Java™
applications, so you can enhance the phone’s functionality with applications
you need, such as a world clock, a currency converter, a bilingual dictionary,
and others. (source: www.nokia.com)
Brief Overview
Availability: Q3 2002
Network: EGSM 900, GSM 1800 GSM 1900
Network Features: GPRS, WAP 1.2.1, HSCSD
Features: SMS, MMS, JAVA, IrDA, FM Radio, Email
For more information on the 7210, please visit Nokia
Nokia 7650 (Available)Combining a digital camera and multimedia messaging (MMS) functionality,
the Nokia 7650 has image capture at 640x480 pixel resolution. The imaging
functionalities of the Nokia 7650 include an integrated digital camera with a
VGA resolution, picture taking and sending, a photo album for storing pic-
tures, and a large 176x208 pixel color display. The MMS works much the
same way as SMS messages, but allows users to combine audio-, graphic-,
text- and imaging content in one message, for sending and recieving MMS.
t he connection to WAP services over GPRS is always on, so you can con-
nect fast to your WAP homepage or a bookmarked page. GPRS makes it
convenient to use many mobile services, such as MMS and e-mail. The
Nokia 7650 works at three speeds. At normal speed, it sends and receives
at up to 14.4 kilobits per second.
When you are sending and receiving e-mail you can shift to double speed -
up to 28.8 kilobits per second. And if you want to use the Nokia 7650 as a
modem to download Internet pages to a compatible PC, you can fast-for-
ward the data at up to 43.2 kb/s. And you can connect wirelessly via
infrared or Bluetooth. Connect to a compatible PC or to another phone sup-
porting Bluetooth and share pictures, graphics and contact cards. (source:
www.nokia.com)
Brief Overview
Availability: Q2 2002
Network: EGSM 900, GSM 1800
Network Features: Symbian EPOC OS, GPRS, WAP 1.2.1, HSCSD
Features: SMS, MMS, MIDP JavaTM support , IrDA, Email,
Blutooth, Modem
For more information on the 7650 and the additional features, please visit
Nokia
Source: Global Mobile and GSM Association
Motorola A820 The A820 utilizes 2G, 2.5G and 3G technology and operates in most major
cities in over 170 countries. The A820 allows the sending of video postcards
using a built-in video camera and supports MMS technology.
The A820 has Multi-call for conducting a phone call while simultaneously
using other applications, such as surfing the Internet. The A820 is also cus-
tomizable by adding the latest games and applications, supports over 4,000
unique colors, and includes a built-in Bluetooth(tm) interface (source:
www.motorola.com)
Brief Overview
Availability: Q2 2002
Network: EGSM 900, GSM 1800
Network Features: GPRS, WAP, HSCSD
Features: SMS, EMS, MMS, Java , IrDA, Blutooth, MP3, GPS
Sharp GX-1 The Sharp GX-1 is due to be launched in the Autumn in the UK, Germany
and Ireland. Using the built in camera it can store up to 80 pictures. The
camera takes 110k pixel photos.
The display of the phone is 120x160 pixels and is capable of 65,536
colours. It can be used as a viewfinder. It also has a ‘mirror’ on the rear,
next to the camera to help the person being photographed. (source:
www.sharp.com)
Brief Overview
Availability: Q2 2002
Network: EGSM 900, GSM 1800
Network Features: GPRS, WAP
Features: SMS, EMS, MMS, IrDA, Email
Swisscom rolls out new MLS offersSwiss cellco Swisscom Mobile has added two new serv-ices to its location offering. WAP users can now see amap of the area around their current location and viewroutes to other locations. Subscribers are able toincrease the accuracy of the location fix by selectingtheir exact street location from an automatically gener-ated list. Both services are accessible from Swisscom’sportal and cost SFr0.30 (US$0.20) to display a map andSFr0.40 to plan a route. Swisscom is increasingly inte-grating its location-based services into other offerings.Both the map and routing capability can be utilized
within its ETV electronic telephone directory service.Users of Swisscom’s location-based community appli-cation friendZone are also able to locate their friends ona map.
Vizzavi UK launches FindVizzavi’s UK portal has launched a suite of SMS servicesthat can all be accessed via the same short code: 8888.Its first SMS-based MLS offering, a “find the nearest”application called Find, is among them. Find users arereverse charged for the information they receive, withthe first SMS costing £0.35 (US$0.54) and then subse-quent SMS just £0.15. The content on offer with Find ismuch the same as Vizzavi’s Find & Seek WAP offering,which launched more than a year ago but has sufferedfrom consumer apathy to the technology.
Location-technology contracts announced*Country Operator Position-determining Location Middleware/location- GIS/mapping/
technology gateway enabling server navigation technology
Austria ONE Nokia Nokia LocatioNet LocatioNet
China Fujian Mobile Nokia Nokia Nokia n/a
China Shanxi Mobile Nokia Nokia Nokia n/a
China Yunnan MCC Nokia Nokia Nokia n/a
Finland Radiolinja Nokia Nokia n/a n/a
Finland Suomen 2G Ericsson Ericsson n/a n/a
Germany E-Plus CellPoint CellPoint CellPoint Webraska
Germany O2 n/a Redknee Redknee n/a
Germany Vodafone D2 n/a n/a Siemens MapInfo
Global Hutchison 3G n/a TCS TCS whereonearth
Global Vodafone n/a n/a Siemens MapInfo
Netherlands Vodafone n/a SignalSoft Siemens MapInfo
Spain Amena Ericsson Ericsson Genasys n/a
Spain Telefonica Moviles n/a n/a Genasys n/a
U.S. AT&T Wireless Nokia (E-OTD), SignalSoft n/a n/aCPS (E-OTD)
U.S. Cingular Wireless Nokia (E-OTD), SignalSoft, TCS n/a n/a
CPS (E-OTD)
U.S. VoiceStream Ericsson/ Nokia (E-OTD) n/a n/aCPS (E-OTD), SignalSoft
UK O2 n/a Redknee Redknee n/a
UK Orange n/a SignalSoft Webraska n/a
UK T-Mobile n/a SignalSoft n/a n/a*Not all operators release details of their location vendors; Ericsson, for example, claims to have 25 deals but has provided details of only 15.
Sources: Operators, vendors, Mobile Location Analyst
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Selected SMS traffic dataCountry/operator 1Q02 SMS 1Q02 SMS 4Q01 SMS 4Q01 SMS 1Q01 SMS 1Q01 SMS 4Q01-1Q02 gr.
traffic per sub traffic per sub traffic per sub of SMS per (mil. msg.) per mo. (mil. msg.) per mo. (mil. msg.) per mo. sub per mo. (%)
Finland
Telia Finland 21.00 29.17 20.00 27.55 12.00 24.92 0.06
Radiolinja 107.00 27.04 104.00 25.63 97.00 25.49 0.06
Sonera 194.00 26.02 190.00 25.82 181.00 25.03 0.01
Germany
T-Mobil 2,790.00 40.17 2,700.00 39.03 2,100.00 32.56 0.03
E-Plus 760.14 35.13 760.00 34.20 963.00 43.34 0.03
Mannesmann Vodafone 2,260.00 38.40 2,200.00 37.15 2,410.00 39.65 0.03
O2 Germany (Viag Interkom) 298.00 24.90 286.00 25.26 205.40 19.29 -0.01
Netherlands
Vodafone 195.00 21.63 160.00 17.83 103.00 10.95 0.21
O2 Netherlands (Telfort) 98.00 25.75 110.00 28.69 37.70 14.34 -0.10
KPN 182.75 11.75 150.00 9.61 110.00 7.26 0.22
Ben 45.00 13.19 45.00 13.08 35.00 12.09 0.01
United Kingdom
O2 UK (BT Cellnet) 1,152.00 34.51 1,060.00 31.89 691.00 20.88 0.08
One2One 626.00 19.10 627.00 19.77 467.00 16.91 -0.03
Orange 1,198.00 31.35 1,200.00 31.93 897.00 26.12 -0.02
Vodafone 1,034.00 29.24 1,035.00 30.27 707.00 20.55 -0.03
Sources: Operators, Mobile Internet
Telefonica adds SMSSpanish cellco Telefonica has added SMS capability toits “find the nearest location”-based offering. Up to nowthe service has only been available via WAP or via avoice-based IVR system. The service, which is part of itsMoviStar suite of value-added services, allows users toget contact details for local services such as pharmacies,restaurants and gas stations. The SMS service is beingoffered via a short code.
Regulator wants more textingSwedish telecoms regulator PTS is preparing a studyinto why Swedes don’t use SMS as frequently as manyof their European brethren, according to local pressreports. SMS traffic for Sweden’s Telia Mobile, for exam-ple, has hovered around 10 to 11 monthly messages persub – levels similar to France’s – in the past few quarters,
while in neighboring Norway users clocked up 35 to 50messages each. The relatively recent introduction ofreverse billing and shortcodes should help increase traf-fic flow, but while Sweden’s SMS prices are now on apar with many other markets, it is also thought that ear-lier high prices might have stifled SMS.
Mobey backing dual chipsThe Mobey Forum, an organization of banks and vendors,has unveiled its Preferred Payments Architecture for localmobile payments, a standards-based framework featuringdual-chip handsets with radio frequency identification(RFID) smart covers that include contactless chips. Thepremise is that subs will simply wave their mobile phones atan automatic teller machine or point-of-sale terminal,which will read the card details contained in the chip andfacilitate the transaction. Mobey Forum hopes the move willkick-start the creation of a consumer habit of using mobilephones for payments and other financial services. PIN entryon the mobile is expected within a year or two, and mobileEMV payments with dual chip should start around 2005.
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MMS prices are fallingThere are signs that MMS prices are already falling withoperators launching MMS eager to undercut the prices ofMMS services already on offer in the local market.Norwegian cellco Netcom will charge NKr5 (US$0.66)per MMS when it commercially launches in December.This is exactly half the price set by its rival Telenor, the firstoperator to launch MMS globally back in March.Meanwhile, Orange launched MMS in the UK in Augustpriced at £0.40 (US$0.62) per MMS, significantly cheap-er than T-Mobile UK’s offer, which costs £20 per monthfor up to 10MB of data. Vodafone Sweden hasannounced that it will charge SKr4.80 (US$0.51) perMMS (maximum 30Kb) when it rolls out its new servicein October.
M1 subs send 1.7 MMS a daySingapore cellco MobileOne claims that MMS usershave sent 1.7 person-to-person (P2P) MMS messages aday on average since it launched the new messagingservice Aug. 3. The cellco has, however, been offeringthe service for free for the first month to generate inter-est. “We are pleased with the initial usage, but we don’t
expect these levels to be sustained,” CEO NeilMontefiore admitted to MMA. As the first cellco in themarket to launch MMS, M1 is throwing down the gaunt-let to its local rivals. At the end of the trial period, theoperator will charge users just S$0.50 (US$0.29) perMMS, meaning that it will be offering one of the cheap-est MMS services globally. Rival SingTel plans to launchMMS in early September, while StarHub, Singapore’syoungest operator, plans to launch by year-end.
SMS top-ups for prepaid usersAustrian cellco Connect One is offering prepay usersthe option of recharging their accounts via SMS. Thecatch – a postpaid customer needs to do it for them. Thecellco claims it is aiming the service at parents withpostpaid subscriptions who want to top up their chil-dren’s mobile credit. Credit can be added in €20(US$19.69) increments, with postpaid customers able tobill up to €100 of prepay credits onto their accounteach month. While cellcos are increasingly recognizingthe value of the monthly mobile statement for billingvalue-added services, One is the first to use it to reverse-bill for phone credit.
KDDI confirms video messaging plansKDDI has confirmed that its first video camera-equipped phone will be available in October, as pre-
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Key messaging technology announcements in AugustDate Operator Country Announcement
2-Aug Nextel U.S. Selected SMS interoperability gateway from Wireless Services Corporation
3-Aug MobileOne Singapore Launched MMS services with technology from Nokia
7-Aug Stet Hellas Greece Launched MMS services
12-Aug Proximus Belgium Announced MMS solution contract with Ericsson
12-Aug Vodacom South Africa MMS contract with Openwave
12-Aug DST Brunei Signed agreement with Logica to upgrade SMSC capacity to 20 messages per second
13-Aug Orange UK Launched MMS services with MMS technology from Nokia
15-Aug Pannon Hungary Announced MMS solution contract with Nokia
19-Aug Telia Sweden, Finland, Denmark MMS supply deal with CMG
19-Aug Netcom Norway MMS contract with CMG
22-Aug DTAC Thailand MMS solution from Nokia
29-Aug China Mobile China MMSC contract with Ericsson
29-Aug Chunghwa Telecom Taiwan Announced MMS solution contract with Nokia
Source: Mobile Messaging Analyst
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dicted in MMA (MMA, August 2002). The Toshiba hand-set enables subscribers to record up to 15 seconds ofmovie, three times more than its rival, Vodafone-backedJ-Phone, is offering to subscribers to its Movie Sha-mailservice. KDDI subscribers will also be able to addvoiceovers and up to 80 characters of subtitles to theimages. KDDI has yet to reveal pricing for either thehandset or service but says the service will be discount-ed to encourage users to send their images to friends.The reluctance of Japanese cellcos to provide informa-tion on the use of their photo messaging services hassuggested that mobile subs are choosing to store imageson handsets rather than forward them on.
Nokia announces two new MMS handsetsNokia has announced that it will introduce two newMMS-compatible handsets onto the market 4Q02/1Q03.The Nokia 3650 has an integrated camera, camcorder,video player and MMS functionality. It includes a 176 x208 pixel colour display with 4096 colours, and a circu-lar keypad with a 5-way scroll key. RealOne Player soft-ware allows the downloading, playing or real-timestreaming of video content. The Nokia 3510i has MMScapability, but no camera. The phone has a 4096 colourdisplay and Java for downloading games. The Nokia3510i supports polyphonic ring tones.
More North American cellcos interconnect SMS More mobile operators across North America are invest-ing in SMS interoperability technology and signinginterconnect agreements with their rivals to drive adop-tion of the messaging technology. Three Venezualancellcos – Telcel BellSouth, Movilnet and Digitel – inter-connected their systems in August, following pressurefrom the local regulator. The four Chilean cellcos inter-connected in July.
U.S. iDEN operator Nextel has contracted U.S. gate-
way provider Wireless Services to enable its subs tosend messages to other networks. The cellco is one ofthe last in the U.S. to open up, GSM operator AT&TWireless having led the way last November.Interconnection has proved essential for the successfuladoption of SMS in every market, but SMS is still prov-ing a hard sell in the U.S. While U.S. interconnectioninfrastructure provider InphoMatch claims that U.S.SMS volumes are doubling every month, the companyis currently only handling a total of 100 million mes-sages a month for its operator customers, which includeAT&T Wireless, Verizon and Voicestream. That’s a dropin the ocean compared to Europe, where the UK alonegenerated 1.35 billion SMS in July.
Virgin gets messaging onboardVirgin Atlantic has become the latest airline to offer itspassengers in-flight SMS and e-mail services. The serv-ice, which is being provided in partnership with U.S.-based service provider ARINC, will be available to allpassengers. The messaging services have been integrat-ed with Virgin’s new onboard in-flight entertainmentsystem from Panasonic to allow passengers to send mes-sages via their seat-back video screen. Messages up to160 characters will cost US$2.50 to send, with passen-gers paying by credit card. The airline plans to add thecapability to receive messages and pay using prepaidcards later this year. Virgin is not alone in spotting theopportunity to take advantage of a captive market eagerto text. This year has seen a number of airlines launch-ing similar services, with Singapore and Austrian air-lines among the operators leading the way.
Telekom Austria to launch fixed-line SMSTelekom Austria is launching a fixed-line SMS service,allowing messages to be sent and received from fixed-line phones. It will also be possible to send SMSs bothin the form of short messages with up to 160 charactersand as long messages with up to 640 characters. Theprice per text is €0.099 for short messages and €0.198for Long Message Service (LMS).
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MMS gathers paceVodafone Sweden will launch MMS in October and isset to charge SKr4.80 (€0.52) per message for up to30KB of data after an initial promotional period.Telefonica Moviles of Spain launched its own service onSeptember 2 with a promotion including 100 free mes-sages; it plans eventually to charge €0.60 per message.Cosmote’s offering was launched on September 5 inGreece (Mobile Communications, 337/10).
Dutch O2 to abolish handset subsidiesO2, the Dutch mobile unit of UK-based mobile groupmmO2, was set to abolish handset subsidies for all itssubscribers on September 16. The move, which is beingclosely watched by the operator’s four rivals in theNetherlands, will coincide with a new postpaid priceplan aimed at making call charges more transparent.Separately, Vodafone Netherlands has launched a newtariff for business customers, BusinessConnect, with areduced rate for calls to fixed-line telephones withinthe same region. Per-minute rates also drop the longerthe call, and charges come down as more users from a
particular business are added (MobileCommunications, 326/1).
Swedish operators to share mastsSwedish operator Telia Mobile has reached a deal thatallows 3G new entrant Hi3G to erect UMTS antennason its own masts. Under the terms of the frameworkagreement, Telia Mobile will also be permitted to accessHi3G’s masts. Telia Mobile does not have a 3G licencebut intends to be a player in the Swedish UMTS marketthrough a deal with Tele2 Mobile.
Sonofon releases Java portfolioDanish operator Sonofon has launched a series of Javagames managed by aggregator End2End and suppliedby games developers Sumea, Macrospace and WirelessEntertainment Services (WES). The Nokia 3410 will bethe first handset to support the games (MobileCommunications, 335/6).
O2 launches Java servicesUK operator O2 launched a Java-based service thatallows subscribers to download games to their hand-sets on September 1. The O2 Games Arcade contains12 downloadable games that will be free duringSeptember and cost £1.50 (€2.35) plus airtime fromOctober. The service will initially be available only onthe recently released Nokia 3410 although more Java-enabled handsets, some with colour screens, willcome onto the market before year-end. UK mobilegroup mmO2, which owns O2, plans to launch theservice at its other operations in Germany, Ireland andthe Netherlands in October (Mobile Communications,335/6).
UK to ban drivers from using mobilesThe UK government has proposed legislation banningthe use of mobile phones while driving. Infringementcould result in an on-the-spot fine of £30 (E47) or acourt-imposed one of £1,000. More than 100,000 peo-ple per year are expected to be fined. The law wouldalso allow police to prosecute an employer that causesor permits a worker to use a mobile phone while driv-ing. The use of hands-free connections to mobilephones is exempted from the proposal.
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Subs growth in the western European cellularmarket, Jan 2001 – Jul 2002Month Net Relative Month Net Relative
additions growth (%) additions growth (%)
Jan-01 5,727,569 2.34 Jan-02 1,082,303 0.38
Feb-01 5,259,078 2.10 Feb-02 919,682 0.32
Mar-01 5,551,500 2.17 Mar-02 866,311 0.30
Apr-01 4,644,884 1.78 Apr-02 1,398,332 0.49
May-01 3,978,318 1.50 May-02 1,314,387 0.46
Jun-01 2,222,649 0.82 Jun-02 1,281,162 0.44
Jul-01 1,791,290 0.66 Jul-02 1,060,390 0.37
Aug-01 3,589,452 1.31 Aug-02
Sep-01 2,802,239 1.01 Sep-02
Oct-01 2,484,123 0.89 Oct-02
Nov-01 2,679,686 0.95 Nov-02
Dec-01 4,923,129 1.60 Dec-02
Total 45,653,917 18.83 7,922,567
Source: Mobile Communications
Vodafone launches m-pay cardsUK mobile operator Vodafone has launched m-paycards, a secure macro-payment service allowing sub-scribers to pay for goods online via the internet or WAP(Mobile Communications, 326/10 & 330/7). Customersfirst register their credit- or debit-card details (as well asa username and password) with Vodafone, after whichthey can make online purchases at participating storeson their websites. If a shopper selects the m-pay-cardpayment option, Vodafone automatically transfers theuser’s card details to the relevant shop. All transactionsare finally authorised by a unique code sent to the uservia SMS, which then has to be entered into the relevantshop’s website.
Spanish 3G operators demand depositsSpanish 3G operators Telefonica Moviles, VodafoneAirtel, Amena and Xfera have called on the governmentto return their 3G licence deposits – worth a total E6.9billion – following the return of similar deposits tocable-TV and public mobile radio operators. TheSpanish regulator has already twice postponed thedeadline for rolling out 3G services (MobileCommunications, 325/2).
J-Phone exceeds 6 million Sha-mail usersJapanese operator J-Phone announced that it passed 6million users of Sha-mail, its photo messaging service,on August 9, an 88 per cent rise since the beginning ofthe year. Sha-mail, which allows subscribers to send
and receive e-mails with attachments containing audioand video messages up to five seconds long, hassecured 1 million users in the past two months (MobileCommunications, 335/11).
Mobilkom claims 3G network readyMobilkom Austria has announced that its 3G network isready for use in 25 per cent of the country. The compa-ny says, however, that it does not expect to have any 3Ghandsets – and therefore users – for another three to sixmonths. Content will be provided by sources includingpublic broadcast station ORF, news agency Reuters andsports website sport1.at.
Telefonica Moviles makes GPRS roaming deals:Spanish operator Telefonica Moviles has announcedGPRS roaming agreements, which it says cover about 70per cent of the markets where Spanish mobile users typi-cally travel (Mobile Communications, 308/1). The opera-tor now has reciprocal agreements with O2 and Orangein the UK, Orange France, TMN of Portugal, Italy’s TIM,Germany’s T-Mobile and Mobistar of Belgium.
Yahoo! acquires Zed stakeUS internet service provider Yahoo! has acquired a 15per cent stake in mobile internet portal Zed from Finnishoperator Sonera for an undisclosed amount (MobileCommunications, 333/12). Reports suggest, however,that Yahoo! paid about US$14 million (€14.2 million) forthe stake. Under the terms of the agreement, Yahoo! canincrease its interest in Zed to 100 per cent within twoyears or withdraw from the company entirely. Yahoo! isset to offer ringtones and picture messages under bothZed and Yahoo! brands, along with e-mail access frommobile devices and instant messaging services.
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