RoW International Short Takes

House of Reps criticizes federal agencies' stalling tacticsA U.S. House of Representatives panel has leveled some harsh criticism at a number of federal agencies over their stalling tactics in approving the use of ultra wide-band (UWB) technology. "I watched certain government bureaucrats and certain industries try their absolute best to stifle this new technology," Rep. Billy Tauzin said to witnesses from the Federal Communications Commission and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. In February, the FCC approved amendments to its Part 15 rules to permit UWB devices to operate on an unlicensed basis under limited conditions. 3G Americas group focuses on UMTS vision next-genThe coalition of North American digital wireless phone carriers and vendors, 3G Americas, has thrown its support behind the UMTS Forum’s vision for a worldwide interoperability standard. While the majority of 3G development going on in the U.S. supports CDMA-based technology, Europe and Asia have chosen to go with GSM. This new agreement could have dramatic effects on the American wireless market, dominated by CDMA technology, which could lose out on lucrative international roaming agreements because the two technologies are incompatible. Third-generation growth slower in next five yearsNew market research indicates that growth of third-generation telecommunications firms will be significantly slower over the next five years. The World Markets Research Centre (WMRC) projects that there will be 84.1 million 3G subscribers in Western Europe by the end of 2007, generating revenue of US$36.3 billion. Voice services, SMS and multimedia messaging, infotainment and Internet access will be the primary revenue sources. However, this figure is 15% lower than current market predictions of US$42.3 billion published by UMTS Forum and Telecompetition last August. WMRC believes that only 27% of all mobile subscribers will have a 3G phone, one-third less than the current figure of about 40%, presented by UMTS Forum. Microsoft closes doors on Swedish mobile businessMicrosoft Corp. is shutting the doors on its Mobile Internet business unit in Stockholm Sweden, according to Adam Anger, lead business manager of the company’s Mobility Group. The company decided to close the unit because it has integrated mobile Internet software into its products. Total cost for PDA can run $3,000, says GartnerThe total cost of ownership (TCO) for a PDA can run companies US$3,000 per user, according to a new study by Gartner Inc. At a conference next week, the research firm will examine mobile trends at its Gartner Mobile Business and Technology 2002 Conference in Denmark. The group’s research demonstrates that TCO for a wireless device will mostly add additional hardware, software and service costs on a per-user basis compared to mobile devices. The cost increases when making wireless devices mobile, increasing the TCO to US$4,392. Wireless Internet future rests on youth marketThe youth and upscale market segments, which tend to be more technology savvy, will drive future demand for third-generation wireless services, according to findings from Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS). The market research firm predicts that marketers who concentrate on the youth and affluent population segments will have the best chance of capturing a significant portion of the wireless Internet market. According to a TNS survey of Internet users and mobile phone owners in 30 countries around the world, 25% of American consumers, 26% in Eastern Europe and 22% in Western Europe possess a "high" interest level in 3G applications.

RoW International Short Takes

News | 06/11/2002 4:00 am EDT

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