News
Issue #2002 - 36 (September 2002)
(Updated Sep. 25, 2002)

MARKET OUTLOOK & TRENDS

Bluetooth Users Face Costs to Solve Security, Interoperability Problems - Gartner Study 

According to a Gartner study, fixing security and interoperability problems with Bluetooth devices will cost businesses and consumers worldwide an additional $5.6 billion annually, an average of $70 per user per year for users of mobile phones, personal digital assistants and PCs. "Bluetooth deployment costs will be higher than other wireless technologies because of limited interoperability and the need to implement policies to safeguard against data corruption and theft," said Bill Clark, research director for Gartner. "Although manufacturers must have products certified by Bluetooth prior to sale, the certification does not make high-level security and interoperability between products a requirement. Therefore, the user interfaces, default configurations and usability choices are left to the individual manufacturers to decide upon." 

Source: http://www.gartner.com

MobileInfo Comments and Advisory:  The cited increase in costs is a typical warning signal from Gartner group. It is asking Wireless IT business managers to not to ignore these issues inherent with an emerging technology during its first phase of deployment when interoperability with remaining infrastructure is a question mark in many cases.

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.