News
Issue #2002 - 08
(February 2002)
(Updated Feb.
27, 2002)
MARKET
OUTLOOK & TRENDS
Harmonization Key to 3G Portal
Profitability, study says
The success or failure of 3G
portal is dependent on the degree to which operators and developers
work together to deliver personalized 3G services to end-users,
according to a study published by The UMTS Forum.
In their report, ‘3G Portal: A Reference Handbook for Portal
Operators, Developers and the Mobile Industry,’ the UMTS Forum
argues that the industry should focus on selecting the ‘best of
breed’ from today’s plethora of standards, platforms and
operating systems to create a truly portal service environment.
Unlike the portals on the fixed Internet that merely provide a
starting point, the 3G portal will have a greater role to play, says
Josef Huber, vice chairman of the UMTS Forum. "In addition to
customization of the end-user’s personal profile, it’s the place
where billing, transactions, security and other entities will be
managed."
The UMTS Forum predicts that by 2010 the worldwide revenues from
3G services will exceed $300-billion annually.
The realization of a multi-billion dollar sector will only
materialize if all parties work together to resolve the technical
issues to enable data transmission over traditional voice-centric
networks and devices. However, Huber is encouraged by the work being
done within 3GPP. "Thanks to the ongoing work within 3GPP there
is already a clear roadmap that will speed convergence between
technical standardizations for UMTS with the needs of the developer
community," he says.
The 3G Portal study provides a snapshot of the current trends in
mobile portal technologies as well as standards and services in
order to guide mobile operators, portal operators, terminal
manufacturers, and content developers in their efforts to develop 3G
portal services.
For more information: http://www.umts-forum.org
Mobileinfo Comments & Advisory: We
generally agree with UMTS Forum's recommendations.
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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