Ben,
<< Prohm suggests that the dearth of GPRS handsets is due to insufficient enthusiasm on the part of vendors...Perhaps it's not from lack of interest..... By all indications, a plethora of vendors are working on them. >>
Amongst GPRS vendors, I only follow Nokia closely.
But yes, a plethora of vendors are working on them, and for good reason.
I'm assuming, however, you have listened to Jorma's comments on this subject. I transcribed some portions and linked here and on G&K.
The majority of Nokia's large R&D budget in the last few years is and has been expended on 3G, not 2.5G. I assume same with Ericsson.
3G is where Nokia's vision is, and that is where the $$$ are.
<< If NOK produces monocell GPRS handsets this year - would this be labeled a success? How about dual cell handsets - would this be labeled a success? >>
Monocell? Dual Cell?
Nokia has not announced its GPRS lineup.
Expect a minimum configuration of 2+1 (timeslots).
4+1 and 4+2 will be commonplace but whether that is here by Christmas (from Nokia) is uncertain.
Samsung supposed to be first out with 4+2 (this quarter). Looks like they might not make it.
Of course their 1xRTT AOD/VOD job was due out by Christmas 2000.
<< "Radiation Overlap Fears Increase as Mobile Phone Masts Fill Countryside". >>
This is a major issue. Lots of regulatory battles going on.
This issue affects ANY technology.
We went through it in the US 94-96.
Europe doing experiencing it now.
<< What additional services will lure subscribers to upgrade handsets? SMS? Existing GSM handsets do SMS. Data-centric (versus voice or message enabling) related services? At 10-20kbs? >>
Ask that to Mike Short at BT Cellnet or find his presentations and read them.
10-20kbs?
Effective throughput of GPRS will be in the range of ISDN speeds.
Many carriers (unfortunately) think this will be pefectly sufficient.
I'm not here to defend GPRS, Ben. It is embarrassing that GPRS will probably be the dominant technology deployed in the world in 2005.
If QUALCOMM's marketing and technical support expertise matched their technology development expertise perhaps we'd be seeing 1x something or other in Europe or China.
As a QUALCOMM stockholder (like me) you might want to ask what applications will the Koreans use to justify subscribers upgrading to expensive (unsubsidized) handsets delivering up to 120 kbps peak data rates (or bursts) with 1xRTT.
They are relying on multimedia AOD/VOD to carry the load.
Properly delivered and properly priced maybe AOD/VOD might fly.
The supporting technologies for AOD/VOD are not here yet.
Business applications require security mechanisms that are not yet here.
Messaging is where it is at today (not just SMS or EMS). Throw in a little location services. Add some m-commerce.
It is not (yet) about raw speed.
- Eric - |
