"Tero, does anyone plan on deploying HSCSD?"
No offence; but this is a pretty good example of how far this thread has floated from reality. It also highlights the mistake made by many Gorilla Game adherents recently (I don't mean you, Quincy... don't flip out unless you want to).
HSCSD has already been deployed in Finland, of course. Some of the messages I wrote in April originated from a Sony palmtop that was connected to internet via a GSM/HSCSD card that connects the computer into net without peceptible difference from 56 kbps home modem. It weighs about 80 grams or something.
Orange, the cutting-edge British operator, has started offering the service. They will introduce the Nokia 6210 and presumably Ericsson's new HSCSD gadgets this summer/fall. Orange is also unveiling video-conferencing handsets this summer; using GSM/HSCSD.
Telenor in Norway, Telia in Sweden, Sonera in Finland.
Hong Kong Telecom is the Asian leader in HSCSD. Hong Kong's New World (a challenger operator) is hot on HKT's heels.
Singapore: MobileOne took an early HSCSD lead and SingTel is now following.
E-Plus in Germany, One in Austria, EuroTel in Czech Republic, Telecom Italia Mobile in Italy.
So the answer would be yes... anyone really does plan to implement HSCSD. I'm not saying it's the hottest commodity since Britney put on the babydoll pajamas for that Rolling Stone cover. But it's real and it's here. And the early adapters among operators are found from the leading mobile data markets in the world; Scandinavia, England, Italy, Germany, Hong Kong and Singapore.
And most of our respected Gorilla experts have spent their recent months dreaming about HDR - instead of realizing the genuine snowball momentum of GPRS/HSCSD here in the real world, in the year 2000. Step outside the lab, guys, and take a peak at the world around you.
Yes, I'm still skeptical about 3G schedules... and that's why 2.5G matters so much. That's why it matters to have real, actual products that are already being manufactured and can deliver decent data transfer speed packed in 80-120 grams. It matters that Ericsson decided to put HSCSD into its cutting-edge GPRS phone. It matters that Orange is showcasing HSCSD-based video-conferencing in the hottest mobile market in Europe - now. It matters that HSCSD can support and supplement GPRS and the combo can deliver a wide range of attractive models from 4-6 manufacturers by this Christmas.
If this thread wasn't riven by ideological warfare we might have more time to address issues that concern consumers this year and have a direct impact on Nokia's sales and profit growth *now*. Certain telecom analysts would be well-adviced to cut the time they spend hanging around Maria Bartiromo and take a trip or two outside the continental America.
Tero
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