O2 Takes Java Apps

Europe : Pinpoint Networks announced the market launch of J2ME application delivery services on their Fuel platform with mobile operator, O2.

O2 selected Fuel, Pinpoint’s carrier-grade mobile service delivery platform, to deploy advanced Java-based mobile applications on their Revolution service. Fuel is currently licensed and deployed to operators representing over 50 million total subscribers, helping those operators manage and scale the quantity of available applications, improve the quality of their subscriber experience and increase their data revenues.

“With Java’s growing popularity, rich graphical user interface and large developer base, we are excited to provide our Revolution subscribers with the best possible mobile data services currently available,” said Richard Sedgwick, business manager, O2. “Pinpoint’s sophisticated Fuel platform helps us efficiently manage a consistent mobile data experience across our growing portfolio of handsets, and quickly and easily add J2ME content to the Revolution service.”

The innovative features and excitement that Java brings to the mobile industry also add complexities to launching Java services. As cited by the GSM Association, fragmentation in the mobile handset market makes it difficult for any operator to depend on specific handset features or to standardize their J2ME deployment strategy. Additionally, the Gartner Group reports that through 2006, 75 percent of J2ME applications will be specific to a single device profile. Fuel helps solve this problem of device fragmentation through proprietary Application Profiling and Device Fingerprinting technologies. These technologies optimize the application delivery process and deliver content unique to the capabilities of each subscriber’s device. Through this combination of active and passive application and device matching, Fuel provides device support for multiple Java handsets, including to devices from manufacturers such as Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, Siemens, and SonyEricsson. This multi-device support results in a unified and optimized solution independent of an operator’s device roadmap. In addition, new Java APIs will be available through the Fuel SDK to enable content providers to take advantage of advanced features, such as event-based billing and Digital Rights Management.

The Gartner Group also reports that through 2006, more than 70 percent of mobile phones will have support for J2ME. Fuel developers are making sure they capitalize on this opportunity. There is already strong developer support and a huge influx of J2ME application submissions. To date, over 200 content providers have contributed applications for Fuel. Fuel handles the device matching and application delivery, independent of the application submission process, and enables developers to self test their Java applications, expediting the launch process for their applications. “Fuel is the most intelligent and developer-friendly platform we’ve worked with,” said Justin Siegel, CEO of JSmart Technologies, a Fuel Developer. “Fuel’s J2ME application submission, testing, and certification process has been a painless experience for us.”

Pinpoint’s latest Java enhancements to the Fuel platform provide a robust and extensible solution to operators for delivering value-added services to their subscribers. “Operators need the flexibility to creatively market the variety of application types that their networks and handsets now support,” said Dov Cohn, vice president of marketing and product management at Pinpoint. “Fuel enables operators to bundle, market and sell applications independent of content type, resulting in an overall improved subscriber experience, increased ARPU and decreased capital expenditures.”