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Technology Stocks : The New Qualcomm - a S&P500 company -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ruffian who wrote (3327)	11/16/1999 6:55:00 PM
From: LBstocks	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 13582

Forget Third-Generation Wireless Systems, Carriers Told CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1999 NOV 16 (NB) -- By Steven Bonisteel, Newsbytes. A telecommunications-industry analyst at Forrester Research has blunt advice for carriers rushing to roll out third-generation (3G) wireless networks: Forget about it. Mark Zohar, a senior public networks research analyst for Forrester, told Newsbytes that 3G technologies such as souped up versions of code division multiple access (CDMA) that could create broadband wireless services are nifty technologies without compelling applications. In a report released today and authored by Zohar, "The Dawn of Mobile eCommerce," Forrester says that, while carriers are looking to 3G wireless systems to "catapult them into new markets," it will be new business models - not just new technology - that will drive wireless growth. "Carriers have it all wrong," Zohar said. "They are readying to make significant investments in 3G infrastructure before they figure out the applications and business models that will drive future growth and profitability. Customers want thin, mobile, and simple applications that are personalized, action-oriented, and location-relevant." Zohar said there are plenty of opportunities, but most don't require the investment in infrastructure - with billions of dollars in improvements - that the new, 3G technologies demand. And, despite the hype from technology vendors, he said, few of the opportunities have anything to do with high-bandwidth, multimedia services such as video-conferencing. "You have to stop and think about it," he said. "People don't like doing video-conferencing now (from the office). They're not going to want to do it from their portable phones." In his report, Zohar says that the opportunity for carriers - mobile e-commerce - will evolve over the next three years "as providers enhance their data capabilities and migrate from pure voice services to mobile information and, ultimately, mobile e-commerce. "Business travelers will be the early adopters of new mobile data devices and services, because they value mobile access to critical information," Zohar said. "To attract and retain business travelers, carriers should co-market and distribute new Wireless Application Protocol phones and develop travel-focused content such as flight updates, hotel scheduling, and driving instructions." Zohar told Newsbytes that content that meets those requirements could also include tracking of online auction sales and, of course, stock trades. But a waste of time from an e-commerce perspective, he said, is general news. "Headline news is interesting... to learn that there's an earthquake in Turkey," he said. "But nobody is going to pay for that. The model for that is free." "Some things just won't work. You're not going to look for and purchase a new computer through your mobile phone." Says Forrester: "Smart carriers will partner with innovators to deliver compelling content to mobile users while unrestricted and open access to the Internet is ensured. These carriers will also pursue new partnerships and distribution channels to leverage the brand and reach of online content providers. "Since carriers don't have the experience or core competency to provide and support mobile Internet services on their own, they will partner with mobile data specialists for service bureau functions, customer support, and Web-based technologies." Reported by Newsbytes.com, newsbytes.com 16:53 CST