Market access issues

The market remains as elusive as ever, despite imminent accession to the World Trade Organisation and the openness that this is expected to bring

Mobile market

Two companies dominate, and as third generation telephony approaches, the future will be driven heavily by technological developments

Company profile: Hutchison Whampoa

In spite of impressive performances around the world, the Hong Kong company faces fierce competition at home

Mobile hardware

Demand for handsets and infrastructure is ahead of almost all other markets, and foreign suppliers have found a relatively open door

3G formats

Domestic equipment makers are hoping that a new format, jointly developed with Siemens, will attract international operators

Mobile financial services

Banks, securities houses and other companies are betting that consumers will warm to doing transactions on the move

Company profile: China Unicom

Despite its heavy debts, the countrys second state carrier is a favourite with investors

3G licences in Hong Kong

Regulators in the former UK colony have come up with an entirely new process for allocating licences the so-called reverse auction. It could set an important precedent

Broadband auctions

The sell-off for UK wireless broadband licences is generating intense interest among operators even if the sums involved are far less than the bids in recent 3G mobile auctions

Company profile: KPNQwest Germany

Netherlands-based KPNQwest recently lit its 2,700km fibre ring in Germany, connecting 16 cities in Europes biggest IP market

Plain Old Telephony Services (Pots)

Voice traffic, once a dependable revenue earner, is being lured away from the fixed-wire network to the mobile sector. How are the traditional telcos responding?

Company profile: Red Cube

Founded only in 1998, the Swiss company is determined to make its mark on the fast-growing internet protocol (IP) telephony market

Interview: AT&Ts Rick Roscitt

The head of the US companys business services division has been sitting in one of the hottest seats in global telecommunications and faces plenty of tough challenges

Company profile: ComXo

Tired of tapping in longer and longer phone numbers? This UK-based company dials the numbers for you from the worldwide web

Interview: Microsofts Paul Gross

The US software giants mobility chief explains how Microsoft is getting into the wireless world

Emerging specifications

Microsoft has outlined a controversial view of Wap and how the wireless protocol may be overtaken by new standards

Ultra-wide band wireless

As wireless usage increases, so does the pressure on mobile technologies. Ultra-wide band may be the answer

Interview: Leo Hindery of Global Crossing

The chief executive of this three-and-a-half year old company explains the benefits of its nearly-completed global data network

Company in the news - BT

An increasingly common view in the City of London is that the UK telco needs to hone down its range of activities. But will it - or should it?

Overview

The enthusiasm that greeted the arrival of Wap has largely evaporated. Industry watchers are now asking if it will ever realise its much-hyped promise

Mobile phone technologies

As enhanced mobile network systems are launched, the line between mobile phones, portable entertainment devices and palm-top computers is becoming blurred

New product

Samsung Electronics has launched the worlds first TV-mobile phone in time for the Sydney Olympics

Wap versus i-mode

Both technologies are accident-prone, but so far Japans i-mode has made all the running in attracting subscribers

Satellite communications

Land-based mobile communication systems are encroaching on territory once occupied by the satellite operators

2.5G technologies

Mobile phone developments will come in a series of small steps rather than a single leap forward

Wap advertising

Mobile advertising is likely to find a ready market, but the best options may focus on localised services and short message systems

Corporate networks and security

The mobile internet still has a long way to go before it can guarantee full end-to-end security, but measures are available that can help prevent the leak of sensitive material

Mobile phones and viruses

Viruses, as classically defined, have yet to affect mobile phones, but some experts warn that forthcoming innovations could make them vulnerable

Websites and Wap

Despite access and speed limitations, many Wap-based websites are operating, but content has to be designed to fit the constraints of the technology

Improving ease-of-use

Despite a huge marketing spend, few are convinced of the benefits of surfing the net on Wap phones. Remedial action is needed

Medical applications

Both patients and medical professionals should benefit from medicines on the move, a development that has triggered a rash of new services for mobile phones

Wap debate

A Scandinavian consultancy is at the forefront of efforts to counter the recent wave of adverse publicity surrounding Wap

Wap gambling

Online gambling has already found a niche, and may prove a money spinner for mobile operators. At least that is what the Wap developers are hoping for

Product focus

AT&T Labs Broadband Phone aims to provide the best of two worlds phones and PCs

Extending Wap services

New software which turns your mobile into a remote control device, and other services

The mobile marketplace

You can buy phones mobile phones on line or in a retail outlet. The arrival of Wap phones shifts the balance towards the traditional retailer

Mobile phone research

New telecoms applications do not just happen, they can take years of technical and consumer researchPage

Wap applications in Finland

A Finnish Wap phone user enthuses about services that help him do his job

James Blouzard

Paris-based businessman joins the Wap revolution

IBM

The worlds largest computer company is testing an internal mobile internet system based on Wap

Woolwich

The UK banks early planning of a Wap-enabled mobile service for customers is paying off

Will Carling

The former England rugby captain is happy to recommend Wap-enabled phones for fellow corporate players

Scala

Scala Business Solutions is one of the few developers focusing on B2B applications of Wap, now being tested in the Nordic region

Supplier profile: Softis

The Iceland-based company has developed innovative mobile connectivity software

Company profile: Nextra

Telenors ISP arm has embarked on an aggressive international expansion drive which it hopes will turn it into one of Europes top five internet companies

Research case study

European Telecoms plans for word recognition and hands-free speaker verification for mobile phones

News reviews

Higher speed technologies for mobile data are already here or on the way. We sum up the latest developments in the deployment of the so-called 2.5G technologies and look ahead to the third generation devices that are around the corner