By Joe Zefran, RTE.ie News Editor in Barcelona
Taking your work with you will get a lot easier this year. Tech geeks and business people on the go are getting a sneak peek of the latest 3G gadgets as the 3GSM World Congress kicked off today in Barcelona, Spain.
More than 50,000 visitors are checking out 1,300 exhibits and hearing the inside scoop from industry CEOs. 3G is the technology that helps mobile phone users watch live TV, browse the internet and keep track of their e-mail and schedule.
2007 hopes to be the year 3G makes a breakthrough. While there are 2.5 billion mobile phones in the world, just 100 million of them have 3G. The conference's sponsor, Irish and UK-based GSM Association, estimates 3G access will jump by 80% this year.
The Launch of Windows Mobile 6.0
Road warriors have a new tool. Microsoft launched its new Windows Mobile 6.0 today. New calendar, contact and e-mail features pair with several back-door functions, extending the office to every corner of the earth. While Apple's highly-hyped iPhone will initially be a closed device exclusively for US carrier Cingular, 6.0 is ready now for any smartphone, or provider, that wants it.
The iPhone's visual voicemail also has some competition from SpinVox. It already offers software for phones that converts verbal voicemail messages into an e-mail or text message.
New smart phones from i-mate, Blackberry, Motorola, Toshiba and Samsung are also grabbing a lot of attention this week. Their QWERTY keyboards, wi-fi receivers and fast processors function as mini-computers.
Representing Ireland
18 Irish telecom companies made up a joint exhibit sponsored by Enterprise Ireland. While most of them are not household names, they are working behind the scenes with providers and manufacturers on functions like revenue assurance, mobile commerce and data services.
Irish companies Accuris and Cicero have developed ways to significantly lower consumer bills by seamlessly switching between wi-fi signals and their provider's service. That could take a significant chunk out of mobile provider profits since roaming charges topping €1 per minute would be reduced to just three to five cent.
Roaming Regulation
A row over roaming developed between providers and European regulators in 2006. The GSM Association says there are government representatives meeting various companies behind closed doors at this conference. Last year, roaming rates went down 25%, according to GSMA. European regulators want to see a bigger drop and set up a pan-European regulatory system.
2007 was supposed to be the year 3G started to make a profit. If content providers offer enough new goodies and the subscriber base goes up the estimated 80%, those predicted profits could become a reality.
