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To: DaveMG who wrote (1568)	3/16/1999 6:53:00 AM
From: tero kuittinen	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 34857

The danger is that if there are 3-4 GSM operators in a country (which is often the case) and one of them starts offering GPRS and handsets that access internet at 100 kbps, this operator will bag up the upmarket customers. Nobody knows what excatly is the demand for these kind of gadgets going to be - but the relatively small proportion of urban, professional customers produce a huge chunk of the profits for most operators. It's very hard for GSM operators to define themselves, because they are all using the same digital standard and basic equipment. Customers can switch easily between operators, because they can use their handsets with any operator. Now they are even debuting the number portability in Europe - you can take your number with you when you switch operators. That's what's driving the GSM market - the competitive pressures are a lot higher than in markets where operators use different standards and know that their customers are effectively locked in. This may be now accelerating the acceptance of GPRS, HSCSD, WAP and other technologies that enhance or boost the existing infrastructure. Operators are scrambling for an edge. Tero