Remote access and more specific wireless applications will be
key drivers for wireless industry growth in the next decade.
Accompanying this phenomenal growth are substantial opportunities
for those mobile operators, equipment manufacturers,
and developers that can answer end users’ demand for customized
value-added services, applications, and content. With
the convergence of communications and computing evolving
into the next generation, 2.5G and 3G wireless broadband
companies, service providers, devices manufacturers, and content
developers are focused on identifying and developing the
“Killer App.”
It’s important to clarify the difference between wireless
Internet access or transport and wireless applications. Access
or transport is simply a wireless connection to the Internet that
allows users to access the same content and applications they
would from a fixed-wire connection. Wireless access adds value
to users of those laptop PCs that are capable of displaying and
running applications that have been designed for PCs. This
type of wireless access allows many new methods of conducting
business in places that do not have wired connections available
such as remote job sites, airports, and in cars.
Whereas mobility adds value to the Internet, not everyone
would consider a laptop to be the most convenient mobile
device to carry with them. Size and weight are important to
mobility and therefore smaller devices are more suited to
mobile usage although not as capable for running applications
designed for the large screens, abundant processing, and large
storage enjoyed by the typical personal computer.
Smaller devices such as smart cellular phones and PDAs
are much easier to carry and are small enough to fit into a
pocket or purse with little difficulty. Small size is great for
mobility but not so good when it comes to using and viewing
applications made for PCs. For the wireless customer, gateways
and middleware players are being developed to enable content
from traditional Web sites to be usable and viewable on wireless
devices. Vertical applications are being developed that are
specific to users’ wireless needs. Many of these new information
content services and applications are specifically tailored
to a fast-paced, mobile lifestyle that provides for accessibility
anytime, anywhere.
The Wireless Internet enables applications to fulfill the
needs or desires of end-users with a variety of smaller devices.
And although these devices have “access” or connectivity to the
Internet, it’s the applications that make the difference.
Consumers do not care or need to know how underlying
communication and Internet technology networks function or
be further confused with various standards; they just care that
an application does what they want. An enormous amount of
marketing research has been conducted to better understand
what content is useful and which applications can best display
and interact with this content. Progress has been made in wireless
application development but much more is yet to be done
to truly understand how to provide value to users of wireless
devices.
APPLICATION AND SERVICE CATEGORIES
There will be no single “killer application” for Wireless Internet
service because there are many high-value user applications.
These services includes:
• Personalized communications
• News and information
• Entertainment and lifestyle
• Location-based services
• Access and connectivity services 133
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WIRELESS INTERNET APPLICATIONS, SERVICES, AND ACCESS-ENABLED SOLUTIONS
Wireless Internet applications are software programs that
require wireless communication technology that can
take advantage of the mobility and high-speed data transmission
offered by advanced data services and networks. Many of
the communications applications and services that were available
for mobile communications in the 1990s were limited by
slow-speed (less than 10 Kbps) data transmission. Using 2G
mobile systems, it was not possible to offer streaming video,
rapid image file transfer, or high-speed data file transfer services.
New high-speed networks will enable applications that
process images, color, and moving video to provide users with
a far richer experience than possible using voice alone.
Much of the demand for wireless data access has come from
a combination of the availability of Internet information applications
and low cost mobile communication. The Internet’s
standardized global collection of interconnected computer networks
has allowed access to information sources that provide
significant benefits to those companies and individuals looking
for specific knowledge. The Internet has created a culturechanging
awareness of many new information services.
In the late 1990s, new, low-cost, high-speed connections to
the Internet became available. The resulting rapid market
growth of Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and cable modem
technology has stimulated the development of new applications
that are only possible via broadband high-speed connections.
In the early twenty-first century, consumers are
becoming aware of these new broadband multimedia applications
and the transition back to low-speed text-based services is
difficult. In the near future, as high-speed wireless networks
are deployed, cellular phones and PDAs will be converted into
portable stereos and video players. These new combined
devices eliminate the need to carry various gadgets, offering
consumers convenience.
Already many consumers are aware of the benefits of wireless
mobile service and broadband applications. Potential
Wireless Internet customers may only need to be made aware
that these services can be delivered via high-speed wireless
data communication services to convert them from the traditional
wired (e.g., Internet access) to new wireless services.
Of key importance for 3G technologies are those broadband
applications that provide the mobility, low cost installation,
and rapid deployment that competing broadband
technologies cannot provide. 131
require wireless communication technology that can
take advantage of the mobility and high-speed data transmission
offered by advanced data services and networks. Many of
the communications applications and services that were available
for mobile communications in the 1990s were limited by
slow-speed (less than 10 Kbps) data transmission. Using 2G
mobile systems, it was not possible to offer streaming video,
rapid image file transfer, or high-speed data file transfer services.
New high-speed networks will enable applications that
process images, color, and moving video to provide users with
a far richer experience than possible using voice alone.
Much of the demand for wireless data access has come from
a combination of the availability of Internet information applications
and low cost mobile communication. The Internet’s
standardized global collection of interconnected computer networks
has allowed access to information sources that provide
significant benefits to those companies and individuals looking
for specific knowledge. The Internet has created a culturechanging
awareness of many new information services.
In the late 1990s, new, low-cost, high-speed connections to
the Internet became available. The resulting rapid market
growth of Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and cable modem
technology has stimulated the development of new applications
that are only possible via broadband high-speed connections.
In the early twenty-first century, consumers are
becoming aware of these new broadband multimedia applications
and the transition back to low-speed text-based services is
difficult. In the near future, as high-speed wireless networks
are deployed, cellular phones and PDAs will be converted into
portable stereos and video players. These new combined
devices eliminate the need to carry various gadgets, offering
consumers convenience.
Already many consumers are aware of the benefits of wireless
mobile service and broadband applications. Potential
Wireless Internet customers may only need to be made aware
that these services can be delivered via high-speed wireless
data communication services to convert them from the traditional
wired (e.g., Internet access) to new wireless services.
Of key importance for 3G technologies are those broadband
applications that provide the mobility, low cost installation,
and rapid deployment that competing broadband
technologies cannot provide. 131
IN A NUT SHELL…
The potential market for the Wireless Internet, by all accounts,
will be a substantial and sustainable one as people embrace
what may be gained by anywhere, anytime connectivity to the
varied content found on today’s Web.
The Wireless Internet will most certainly provide society
with new experiences and freedom, and unprecedented access
to information. The Wireless Internet frees consumers from
location and time constraints, making it possible to shop for
merchandise or initiate transactions from virtually anywhere,
day or night, without sitting in front of a PC.
Because the number of wireless devices exceeds the number
of home and office PCs, and this gap will widen in the coming
years, the impact of wireless users will be the major driver
for future content. Traditional Web sites will adapt to accommodate
the various screens of many handheld devices, each of
which will be designed for various applications. The Wireless
Internet untethers an endless stream of information, new solutions,
and opportunities for human communications by offering
wireless connectivity to the vast knowledge and resources
of a networked world.
will be a substantial and sustainable one as people embrace
what may be gained by anywhere, anytime connectivity to the
varied content found on today’s Web.
The Wireless Internet will most certainly provide society
with new experiences and freedom, and unprecedented access
to information. The Wireless Internet frees consumers from
location and time constraints, making it possible to shop for
merchandise or initiate transactions from virtually anywhere,
day or night, without sitting in front of a PC.
Because the number of wireless devices exceeds the number
of home and office PCs, and this gap will widen in the coming
years, the impact of wireless users will be the major driver
for future content. Traditional Web sites will adapt to accommodate
the various screens of many handheld devices, each of
which will be designed for various applications. The Wireless
Internet untethers an endless stream of information, new solutions,
and opportunities for human communications by offering
wireless connectivity to the vast knowledge and resources
of a networked world.
WIRELESS BUSINESS ENTERPRISE
Over the next five years, corporate users will join consumers in
the wireless service user base. This trend has already started as
companies use wireless technologies to connect corporate
information technology (IT) systems with customers, employees,
suppliers, and partners. Companies realize the benefits of
providing wireless access to email, instant messaging, portals,
and corporate systems. These benefits include reduced administrative
overhead, increased efficiency, and a more rapid distribution
of information throughout an organization.
For mobile professionals, a wireless device allows access to all
sales literature, provides answers to questions about unfamiliar
products or services, and permits check-in with the home office
for timely reports, expenses, and inventory status, among other
things. Enterprises are using wireless devices with an Internet
browser to provide remote access to corporate data—up-to-date
access to recent sales, current orders, proposals in progress, and
accounts receivables. The key to ensure the acceptance and
usability of these devices is to design them be customized for the
precise information needed by the user; thus, only relevant information
is displayed rather than the wealth of information usually
displayed on management information systems.
the wireless service user base. This trend has already started as
companies use wireless technologies to connect corporate
information technology (IT) systems with customers, employees,
suppliers, and partners. Companies realize the benefits of
providing wireless access to email, instant messaging, portals,
and corporate systems. These benefits include reduced administrative
overhead, increased efficiency, and a more rapid distribution
of information throughout an organization.
For mobile professionals, a wireless device allows access to all
sales literature, provides answers to questions about unfamiliar
products or services, and permits check-in with the home office
for timely reports, expenses, and inventory status, among other
things. Enterprises are using wireless devices with an Internet
browser to provide remote access to corporate data—up-to-date
access to recent sales, current orders, proposals in progress, and
accounts receivables. The key to ensure the acceptance and
usability of these devices is to design them be customized for the
precise information needed by the user; thus, only relevant information
is displayed rather than the wealth of information usually
displayed on management information systems.
TEENAGERS DRIVE WIRELESS INTERNET GROWTH
Much of the demand for Wireless Internet usage comes from
teens and young adults. Wireless Internet growth will be driven
by people growing up with the Internet and wireless communications
as an integral part of their lives. This is especially
true among the younger segments of society, where the adoption
rate of new technology is rapid. That generation of children
growing up with access to the Internet throughout the
United States, Western Europe, and Japan is incredibly adept
at using technology, whether through school work, video
games, chat rooms, buddy lists, or short messaging. As this
Internet-literate generation joins the workforce, their spending
will increase, as will their acceptance for newer, more enabling
applications and devices. Jupiter found that teenagers represent
12 percent of the European online population, and in
June 2001 Europeans ages 12 to 17 spent nearly 8 hours
online. As this trend continues, Web sites must be designed for
the specific characteristics of their target audience: boys seek
novelty and entertainment, whereas girls enjoy fulfilling goals
and feeling part of a community.
A research study from the Pew Internet and American Life
Project has found that 73 percent of U.S. teenagers aged
between 12 and 17 (or 17 million people), use the Internet.
Furthermore, three-quarters of online teens say they would miss
the Internet if they could no longer use it, whereas almost half
say being online has improved their relationship with friends.
Nearly a third say it has helped them to make new friends. The
top five online activities for teens are email, surfing for fun, visiting
entertainment sites, using instant messaging (IM), and
researching hobbies. Only 31 percent have made purchases
online. About 13 million teens, or 74 percent of all online teens,
use instant messaging (IM). Only 44 percent of online adults
use IM. Nineteen percent of teen IM users say IM is now the
main way that they communicate with their friends.
When it comes to wireless phones, teens just can’t keep
their hands off them and stop talking. It is predicted that by
2004, more than half of U.S. youth, over 43 million, will own
a wireless phone and three out of four will use one. Teens want
the flashiest, most featured models— a stripped down phone is
“just not cool” nor is a grey or black model that looks just like
Dad’s. Teenagers are very fashion conscious, and major manufacturers
such as Nokia, Motorola, and Ericsson are all focusing
on new designs that appeal to the young generation. Both
carriers and application developers are focused on specially targeted
content, including sites providing shopping, news,
games, entertainment, education, and youth-oriented content. 127
teens and young adults. Wireless Internet growth will be driven
by people growing up with the Internet and wireless communications
as an integral part of their lives. This is especially
true among the younger segments of society, where the adoption
rate of new technology is rapid. That generation of children
growing up with access to the Internet throughout the
United States, Western Europe, and Japan is incredibly adept
at using technology, whether through school work, video
games, chat rooms, buddy lists, or short messaging. As this
Internet-literate generation joins the workforce, their spending
will increase, as will their acceptance for newer, more enabling
applications and devices. Jupiter found that teenagers represent
12 percent of the European online population, and in
June 2001 Europeans ages 12 to 17 spent nearly 8 hours
online. As this trend continues, Web sites must be designed for
the specific characteristics of their target audience: boys seek
novelty and entertainment, whereas girls enjoy fulfilling goals
and feeling part of a community.
A research study from the Pew Internet and American Life
Project has found that 73 percent of U.S. teenagers aged
between 12 and 17 (or 17 million people), use the Internet.
Furthermore, three-quarters of online teens say they would miss
the Internet if they could no longer use it, whereas almost half
say being online has improved their relationship with friends.
Nearly a third say it has helped them to make new friends. The
top five online activities for teens are email, surfing for fun, visiting
entertainment sites, using instant messaging (IM), and
researching hobbies. Only 31 percent have made purchases
online. About 13 million teens, or 74 percent of all online teens,
use instant messaging (IM). Only 44 percent of online adults
use IM. Nineteen percent of teen IM users say IM is now the
main way that they communicate with their friends.
When it comes to wireless phones, teens just can’t keep
their hands off them and stop talking. It is predicted that by
2004, more than half of U.S. youth, over 43 million, will own
a wireless phone and three out of four will use one. Teens want
the flashiest, most featured models— a stripped down phone is
“just not cool” nor is a grey or black model that looks just like
Dad’s. Teenagers are very fashion conscious, and major manufacturers
such as Nokia, Motorola, and Ericsson are all focusing
on new designs that appeal to the young generation. Both
carriers and application developers are focused on specially targeted
content, including sites providing shopping, news,
games, entertainment, education, and youth-oriented content. 127
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