ROW International Briefs

Mobile TV to take years to become widespreadTwo major research firms doubt that mobile TV services will become popular among wireless subscribers. A new report from Forrester Research indicates that it will take a number of years for mobile TV services to become a reality in the United States and Europe. The research firm says that lack of consumer demand, combined with technical, handset pricing and usability issues will delay the widespread use of mobile TV. In-Stat notes that only one in eight wireless subscribers is interested in paying for mobile video services from their wireless carrier. Forrester believes that a number of things will need to happen before mobile TV becomes a success, including lower-priced handsets and modestly priced content. It notes that operators will have to provide a service with the same level of quality as traditional TV. In-Stat holds out hope that mobile TV will become popular in the near term. In-Stat senior analyst David Chamberlain says, "Though mobile video does not yet appear to have widespread appeal, In-Stat believes that there is enough interest for it to generate some significant revenue for carriers in the near term. The mobile video market is about to get a little more crowded as Varsity Media Group is set to launch a mobile TV channel targeting the teen market. The company will offer user-created content that is written, directed and produced by teenagers for mobile devices. EA expands presence in wirelessElectronic Arts (EA) is expanding its presence in the wireless market through two new agreements it has inked with Verizon Wireless and Sprint. Games to be available on Verizon include Madden NFL 06, NBA LIVE 06, and others. Sprint will offer Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 06 as well as a variety of Poppit games. New standard for mesh networks proposedThe Wi-Mesh Alliance plans to present a standard proposal for wireless local area networks (WLANs) using mesh technology to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Nortel Networks Corp. has announced. The proposal is being presented to the IEEE 802.11 Task Group S at its meetings in San Francisco. "The ever-expanding proliferation of wireless devices and communications services has made the development of a worldwide standard for mesh WLANs critical to their future success. Wireless users expect secure seamless access anywhere, anytime, and the new standard proposed by the alliance is designed to enable mesh WLANs to meet those expectations as wireless communications continue to evolve." The Wi-Mesh Alliance includes Nortel, InterDigital Communications Corp., NextHop Technologies, and others. Growth for cell phones slowingTwo research firms are saying that growth of cell phones is beginning to slow down. In-Stat notes that while this year is shaping up to produce record shipments, overall market growth will decrease to 6% year-over-year. Gartner Inc. indicates in a report that cell phone unit sales will reach nearly 800 million this year, a 15.6% increase over 2004 levels, and will top the one-billion mark in 2009. Gartner predicts that growth will be cut in half to 8.8% in 2006 and will only be 5.9% in 2009. According to Forecast: Mobile Terminals, Worldwide, 2000-2009, there will be more than 100 million 3G phones sold next year. Contactless payments on the rise in United StatesA new report from ABI Research indicates that contactless payment options for consumers will surge in 2006. Erik Michielsen, ABI’s director of RFID and ubiquitous networks, notes that there has been considerable activity on this front in 2005 and that previous expectations have been surpassed. McDonald’s, Walgreens, 7-Eleven and KFC are among the companies leading the charge for greater adoption of the technology. "Contactless payment systems benefit consumers, who spend less time waiting in line and find transactions easier; they also benefit merchants who can serve more customers and see fewer walk away from long lines," reads an ABI news release.

ROW International Briefs

News | July 28, 2005

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