Demo Of 3GPP R5 All-IP Wireless Network In China

Smartphones Will Dominate Wireless Handset Market

A migration trend is emerging among wireless users toward feature rich devices that incorporate color screens and advanced data and messaging applications, including navigation, multimedia messaging (MMS), and instant messaging, among others.

The primary catalysts of this trend are a combination of factors. For one, wireless handset penetration continues to grow, moving the market from one characterized by initial penetration to that of replacement with next generation devices. Secondly, wireless operators are under increased pressure to drive higher average revenue per subscriber (ARPU) and are doing so by adding data services and "infotainment" content available to newer technology handsets.

"With handset makers and wireless operators developing new devices and compelling services, the replacement cycle will shorten, accelerating growth in the handset," states Kenil Vora, an analyst with ABI. "Key to maintaining this growth is the successful deployment - and timing - of feature-rich devices and related services."

Inside The Numbers

According to a new study by Allied Business Intelligence (ABI) the number of replacement handsets shipped will grow from 211 million in 2002 to 591 million units in 2008, representing nearly 85% of all shipments worldwide at that time.
The study, "Wireless Handsets, Smartphones and Communicators -- The Convergence Of The Cell Phone & PDA And The Emerging 3G Network" also indicates that, of the estimated 406 million handsets shipped in 2002, only about 15% incorporated color displays. This number is expected to jump to 97% by 2008.
The new study by ABI outlines the evolution of the handset to a multimedia and data-centric platform and the progression to the 2.5G and 3G network. The study provides a thorough examination of trends in the global market for wireless handsets and offers a realistic outlook on where the industry is headed. The report covers six global regions and the demand within them. The report also includes market forecasts for wireless subscribers, handset shipments, Bluetooth penetration and Java capability through 2008. Where applicable, forecasts are further segmented by cellular technology platforms.

TODAY'S PRESS RELEASES

BT Broadcast Services and Oplayo will provide a revolutionary solution for mobile phone operators to offer video streaming on existing GPRS and 3G networks

While color display models lead the Korean market this year, manufacturers will come out with a steady stream of new products that stress multimedia functions.

Agere Systems announced an agreement with Samsung to supply wireless data chipsets and software for use in Samsung's new generation of advanced mobile phones.

Throughout 2003 Motorola promises mobile consumers will have a quick escape from those moments of microboredom, as the latest gaming capabilities are integrated into new handsets such as the Motorola T725 and Motorola A835

Samsung USA has launched the SGH-v205, a clam-shell designed wireless phone featuring an embedded full color camera and GPRS high-speed wireless Internet access.

Sony Pictures Digital and Sprint announce an agreement in which Sony Pictures Digital will develop and distribute content for PCS Vision. PCS VisionSM customers can now download content based on a number of Sony Pictures properties, including games, ringtones and screen savers.

Samsung Electronics of Korea is ready to introduce its first camcorder phone capable of recording and storing up to 20 minutes of multimedia clips - th 3G CDMA2000 1xEV-DO SCH-V310 Mobile / Camcorder.

The 3G agreement with Far EasTone comprises a complete 3G system including WCDMA radio access network, core network and a wide portfolio of comprehensive professional services for Yuan-Ze
Telecommunications

AirPrime , a subsidiary of Korea Telecom and South Korea's second largest wireless network operator, today announced that the mass production release of the world's first CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Wireless PC Card with antenna diversity has commenced.

Intec Telecom Systems has extended its InterconnecT(TM) PREP license with Swisscom Mobile, Switzerland's leading wireless provider, to support wholesale billing for mobile Multi-Media Messaging (MMS).

3G technology company UbiNetics has signed a licensing agreement with National Semiconductor Corporation to jointly develop next-generation wireless chipsets for the handset market.

Hutchison 3G UK and Dixon Stores Group announced a retail agreement under which The Link will sell Hutchison 3G UK's third-generation mobile multimedia and communications products and services to be marketed under the 3 brand.

Allgon has been appointed 3G roll out partner by TIM (Telecom Italia Mobile), Italy's leading mobile operator. Continuing a long-term customer relationship, the agreement with TIM cements Allgon's position as one of the leading UMTS suppliers in the competitive European wireless market.

In the first two months of Vodafone live!, we have achieved over 380,000 customers across eight markets and are on track to achieve our target of a million sales to customers by the end of March.

TELOS Technology, and PUTIAN Institute of Technology, the R&D arm of CHINA PUTIAN announced that the two companies demonstrated a 3G SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node) using 3GPP Release 5 technology.