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News
Issue #2001 - 51 (December 2001)
(Updated Dec.
19, 2001)
MARKET
OUTLOOK & TRENDS
Year-End Predictions for Wireless
Industry
It’s that time of year
again when industry observers and analysts look into their crystal
ball and set out their predictions for the coming year. One of the
first to lay his reputation on the line is analyst Martin Dunsby
with Deloitte Consulting’s global mobility practice, offering
eight predictions, as reported by ZDNet.
Martin Dunsby’s 2002 Predictions
Businesses will embrace mobile technology: "The global
mindset towards mobile has changed forever," Dunsby said.
"In the most challenging circumstances during September 2001,
it was mobile that kept people in contact." As organizations
view mobile solutions as reliable and viable for business processes,
the adoption of wireless will increase.
Companies will learn to do more with less: As many companies
will be restricting capital investments to a minimum, mobile
technology vendors will be demonstrating the real dollar savings and
productivity improvements that wireless technology can offer: How
companies can do more with less.
2.5G and 3G technology will attract attention: As next
generation networks become readily available in Europe and North
America, always-on devices, connecting mobile users to the Internet,
will create business opportunities for new applications and services
companies.
The year of multiple standards: No single standard will
dominate as multi-network devices become available.
Location-based services will be driven by U.S. legislation:
The FCC’s E-911 mandate will drive adoption of location-sensitive
technology worldwide.
More devices not less: Instead of being the year of
convergence, the all-in-one device, 2002 will see the development of
new wireless data services that will require more powerful devices,
and new form factors, resulting in more devices per person.
Privacy will lose to security: In the aftermath of Sept. 11,
people will come to expect tighter security measures. Mobile
technology will make it possible for governments and businesses to
know a person’s whereabouts. This, of course, will come with a
price: be prepared to relinquish more personal information,
especially to cellular operators.
Content will be the winner: "Greater content will drive
consumers to different operators’ services," Dunsby predicts.
The cellular operators that can deliver high-value content to their
subscribers, when and where they need it, will be the winners.
So check back in twelve months!
(Source ZDNet))
Mobileinfo Comments & Advisory: There
will be lots of predictions from the wireless pundits. We generally agree with
these predictions. Deloitte's Dunsby does not appear to be influenced by
vendor press releases. We will come up with more complete comments in
January 2002. We need to clean our crystal glass this week before we gaze into
it for next year's trends.
Note: This news release may contain
forward-looking statements. Readers should take appropriate caution in
developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology
architectures. All trademarks used in this summary are
the property of their respective owners.
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