Yakara plc, a founding member of MX, launched m-groups 4 at this year’s 3GSM. The product offers SMEs a simple way to benefit from the mobile messaging revolution. Using a standard internet browser, organisations will have access to a range of mobile customer relationship management , mobile workforce management, and mobile project collaboration tools.

Stuart Malcolm, Managing Director of Yakara plc said, “Text messaging has become a mainstream activity and businesses today are looking for a way to harness the power of this new medium. Yakara is first to market with a simple, one-stop solution for companies seeking the benefits of SMS text messaging.”

Analysys Research forecasts that annual revenues from business use of mobile data services across Europe will grow to Euro 8.1 Billion in 2008.  The market today is reported to be under-exploited due to the difficulties in bringing together the building blocks for a solution: speedy and reliable networks, applications, devices, implementation options and pricing that meet businesses’ needs.

m-groups® 4 offers significant financial benefits through increased productivity, improved team responsiveness and direct savings in telephone charges.  Operationally, the product helps the team to anticipate problems, vastly improve communication, co-ordinate problem resolution and generally keep everyone informed of progress.  It also allows the individual team members to communicate much more easily with each other.

At present businesses only account for 11% of data revenues, using m-groups this figure could potentially increase to 40%, matching voice revenues from businesses and making a huge impact on the GSM world, confirming forecasts made by Analysis.

External Links

Yakara

Over the past 3 months the number of consumers using MMS has surged by 40%. 37% of 18-24 year olds are now using MMS.

The results are revealed in the Mobile Media Monitor, the latest quarterly survey of the sector from Enpocket, the mobile marketing solutions provider.

Some 18% of all mobile phone owners now have a camera phone. Younger adults and men lead the way, with penetration more than doubling to 47% this quarter from 22% last quarter in the 18-24 segment.  21% of men versus 15% of women own a camera phone.

Mono ring tones are still the most popular downloaded media, but volumes are falling, as are those for icons and logos. While polyphonic ring tones and Java games are gaining in popularity, particularly among men: 10% of males have downloaded a polyphonic ring tone; 7% a Java game.

Use of the medium for participation in TV and radio shows, and for response to promotions and advertising in other media, are also showing continued growth with over 20% of 18-44 year olds having used their mobiles in this way. Interestingly, response to TV shows is heavily female biased – 12% of women have texted to a TV show, compared to 6% of men. Texting into radio is also a predominantly female activity. But SMS responses to product packing, advertising and newspapers all have a slightly male bias.

Commenting on the latest findings Jonathon Linner, CEO of Enpocket, said: “The mobile media market is in transition from first phase handsets and content to the second phase in which richer content and applications will gain sway. As MMS catches hold this is opening up many more exciting creative opportunities for marketers. Meanwhile, consumers are developing their use and ease with the channel which is making mobile the medium of choice for campaign response.”

Phase 2 of the Mobile Media Monitor (UK) survey was based on 1,000 telephone interviews undertaken by ICM for Enpocket Insight in early February, and relates to the period December 2003 to February 2004. The base was representative of UK mobile phone usage.

External Links

Enpocket

mobilkom austria, Telekom Austria’s mobile subsidiary, today announced that it is the first mobile network operator worldwide to bring CNN live television broadcasts (24×7) to its mobile phone customers. Services from CNN, the word’s best known news broadcaster, will be free to mobilkom austria’s A1 subscribers for a trial period. mobilkom austria delivers a wide selection of programs to its customers through A1 TV, its mobile TV service, and the YBN (Yard Broadcast Network) content network.

Beginning in March, all owners of the new Nokia 7600 will be able to receive live television on their mobile phones for the first time. The high transmission rate of this UMTS mobile phone enables superior quality audio and visual reception. Further stations will be added to the CNN service through the YBN content network.

“When it comes to UMTS, mobilkom austria is taking a leading role in Austria and Europe,” said Boris Nemsic, COO Wireless of Telekom Austria and CEO of mobilkom austria. “We see it as our responsibility not just to launch technologies first, but to also develop mobile services and products that offer customers real added value.”

“CNN is delighted to be able to share this world first with mobilkom austria: debuting a 24 hour live television streaming service to mobile users in Austria,” says Mitch Lazar, vice president wireless & emerging technology for Turner Broadcasting Systems International. 

“CNN have been the pioneers in delivering news and information services to mobile networks and as wireless technologies evolve, it is the next logical step to provide a CNN video service directly to mobile devices. This is an important development as it enhances the user experience and increases the potential for generating new revenue for CNN and for mobile operators.”

A1 TV also offers “Video on Demand” (VOD) streams directly on mobile phones through the mobile A1 portal. Users simply select the option “A1 TV” from the portal, then chose subject areas. The selection ranges from news, sports and weather to entertainment programs.

Although the high bandwidth of UMTS makes it the ideal carrier technology for A1 TV, several GPRS mobiles are also capable of using the new service. In this case it is only necessary to download the free “Real Player”.

Manufacturers of more than 85% of the world’s mobile phones now license Symbian OS

3GSM World Congress
LG Electronics and Symbian Limited announced today that LG Electronics, the world’s fifth largest mobile phone manufacturer, has signed an agreement to license Symbian OS as its platform for development of smartphones for 2.5G and 3G networks worldwide.

The world leader in CDMA mobile phones, LG Electronics is also a significant supplier of GSM mobile phones to major European network service providers including Vodafone, Orange and T-Mobile as well as the USA’s largest GSM operator, Cingular.

LG Electronics joins all other major mobile phone manufacturers in licensing Symbian OS for use as a platform for the development of data-enabled, advanced mobile phones. Symbian OS licensees now account for over 85% of worldwide mobile phone sales.2  In 2003, more than 6.67million phones based on Symbian OS were shipped worldwide.
 
Yong E. Shin, Vice President and Head of UMTS Handset Laboratory, LG Electronics, said: “We have chosen to license the market-leading Symbian OS smartphone platform to enable LG Electronics to develop exciting, highly differentiated smartphones for LG’s network operator customers worldwide. Symbian OS is a market-proven, leading-edge technology whose stability makes it a robust platform for the development of innovative products that provide a compelling experience for mobile users in worldwide markets.”

David Levin, Chief Executive, Symbian, said: “We are delighted to welcome LG Electronics, one of the world’s largest handset manufacturers and a leader in CDMA technology markets, as a Symbian OS licensee. LG Electronics has a
well-earned reputation for the excellence of its technology, particularly in UMTS and an impressive growth record in mobile technology markets around the world, particularly in the USA.  We very much look forward to working with LG Electronics as Symbian continues to fulfil its commitment to serving markets across Asia.”

For more details visit Symbian at Stand E31, Hall 2 at the 3GSM World Congress 2004.

3GSM World Congress
Arima Group and Symbian Limited announced today that Arima, a leading  manufacturer of mobile terminals, notebooks PCs and opto-electronics, has signed an agreement to license Symbian OS for Arima’s development of smartphones for 2.5G and 3G networks worldwide.

Arima plans to develop a series of market-driven, advanced smartphones to sell to the world’s leading mobile phone companies and mobile network service providers under an Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) business model. Arima is a leading ODM supplier of GSM/GPRS terminals to many top- tier brands worldwide.

Arima’s first product, based on Symbian OS v7.0 will use the UIQ user interface platform licensed from UIQ Technology. UIQ is a customizable pen-based user interface platform for media- rich mobile terminals based on Symbian OS. Arima’s first Symbian OS-based smartphone will be the ASP805 which is scheduled to launch later this year. Symbian OS licensees now account for over 85% of worldwide mobile phone sales. In 2003, more than 6.67million phones based on Symbian OS were shipped worldwide.

Stephen Lee, CEO, Arima Group, said: “We are very pleased to sign this agreement which enables Arima to use Symbian OS as a platform for our smartphone development. We were able to rapidly develop the advanced ASP805 that our customers are already asking for. We will leverage our well established capabilities and resources to provide terminal suppliers with an alternative source of competitive Symbian OS platform designs, which allows us flexibility in customizing features and Industrial Design outlooks that meet customers’ expectations.”

David Levin, CEO, Symbian Limited, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Arima as a Symbian OS licensee. Arima is one of the world’s leading original design mobile terminal manufacturers with a worldwide customer base. We very much look forward to working with Arima to develop Symbian OS phones for customers worldwide.”

Revolutionary dual-hinge design, outstanding email experience, and advanced features make the MPx handset your true real-time assistant

3GSM World Congress
Today, Motorola, Inc., a global leader in wireless, broadband and automotive communications technologies, announced the debut of the Motorola MPx — a revolutionary mobile device combining always-on connectivity in a never-before-seen form factor. The Motorola MPx brings real-time assistance to mobile professionals – at work, on the road, at home and at play.

Part of the Motorola MOTOPro series of handsets featuring the Microsoft Windows Mobile software, the MPx delivers a radical new approach to mobile communications for the mobile professional. The dual-hinge device opens both lengthways as a terrific clamshell phone and in landscape mode as an exceptional email device with a wide screen and full QWERTY keyboard. The model MPx accomplishes this with a familiar, easy-to-navigate interface like the one you’re used to on your Windows office desktop.

The Motorola MPx replaces the multi-device syndrome by ingeniously blending the best of a mobile phone, personal data assistant (PDA) and email messenger in one easy-to-use compact device. By opening the device in landscape mode, Internet browsing, streaming video and access to corporate applications are all within easy reach using the Motorola MPx.

The tri-band GSM/GRPS Motorola device is a truly essential business tool, with advanced features such as built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and Infrared support for effortless data exchange. The MPx also takes advantage of a 2.8 inch, 16-bit color display to provide an impressive 320 x 240 pixels. This feature allows for utilization of a large base of existing and upcoming Pocket PC and Java applications, enabling users to maximize their mobile experience.

The device is built on the MOTOPro Innovation Platform, a feature rich software and hardware platform that leverages Motorola’s design and technologies, as well as the Microsoft Windows Mobile software. The Motorola MPx boasts up to 1GB of expandable memory, an integrated 1.3 mega pixel camera with flash, and Java technology. With the Windows Media Player, the Motorola MPx also provides users with essential entertainment options to balance out the busy workday. In a snap, executives on the road can take pictures using the MPx’s integrated camera with flash and send them home to family and friends. Powerful messaging capabilities and the large dual-hinge internal landscape and portrait display also make sending and receiving movie or video clips a breeze via e-mail, MMS, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.
 
“Mobile email is the “hero” application for mobile professionals looking to stay in touch in real time. This revolutionary compact form factor combines powerful hardware and software enablers and Microsoft’s Windows Mobile software, to create a true mobile assistant – helping mobile professionals stay ahead of the curve,” said Ron Garriques, senior vice president and general manager, personal communication sector, EMEA, Motorola Inc. “The MPx expands the MOTOPro portfolio, enabling businesses and mobile professionals to leverage the power of mobility and convergence.”

Java applications can now be certified once and deployed everywhere

3GSM World Congress
Key Wireless Industry leaders Motorola, Nokia, Siemens, Sony Ericsson and Sun Microsystems today announced the launch of the “Java Verified” program to provide a unified process for the testing and certification of Java applications for mobile handsets. Applications can now be tested and certified only once for deployment over a wide range of delivery channels. The program will help the wireless industry satisfy growing demand for mobile data services by reducing development cost and speeding time-to-market.

With the rapid, widespread adoption of Java technology-based handsets around the world, operators, developers and handset manufacturers have all recognised a need to develop and define a unified testing criteria to drive market growth for Java data services. The Java Verified program evolved in just seven months following the announcement in June 2003 when these industry leaders made a commitment to cooperate on a unified testing initiative.

“The rapid progress made by the group clearly demonstrates how committed the industry is to meeting the challenges of today’s fast-changing marketplace,” said Alan Brenner, vice president, consumer and mobile systems group of Sun Microsystems. As the creator and innovator of Java technology, Sun has been chosen to manage and operate the newly launched program. 

Through the Java Verified program, wireless operators can now access a large pool of wireless Java applications that will help them increase customer value and brand equity by quickly launching attractive, high-quality Java applications such as games, movie guides and video news clips.

The Java Verified program will also allow wireless Java developers and content providers to monetize their applications more quickly and cost- effectively since meeting a single unified testing criteria will reduce the need for retesting by multiple distribution channels, each with its own proprietary testing criteria. In addition, they can leverage the Java Powered logo to expand the marketing mix of their products and provide customers with a unique quality assurance along with faster and more cost-effective access to innovative new services.

“As one of the leading Java content developers in Europe, we are very pleased to be able to leverage this program to ‘write once, test once, run everywhere,” said Jan Andresen, Managing Director of elkware. “We will save a tremendous amount of time by avoiding testing our applications multiple times and consumers will benefit from faster access to more innovative applications for their handsets.” 

To join the program, wireless developers simply register at www.javaverified.com, where applications submitted for testing will be administered by selected test houses worldwide. Applications are tested for application launch, user interface, functionality, security, network and localisation capabilities.

3GSM World Congress
OpenMIND Networks, providing innovative messaging solutions to mobile operators worldwide, today announced that mobilkom austria, Austria’s leading mobile operator, has selected the OpenMIND Message-OST platform to deliver its Premium SMS service. mobilkom austria has implemented the Intelligent Message Exchange (IMX) application of the Message-OS platform to deploy a country-wide cross network Premium SMS solution, which allows any Premium SMS code to be accessed by all Austrian mobile phone subscribers regardless of their network.

IMX on Message-OS is a highly available, carrier-grade  application that enables flexible and vendor-independent routing of messages between diverse value-added services to messaging centres both within the operator’s network and to other networks. The IMX solution ensures that Austrian service providers need only set up one Premium SMS service code. IMX recognises this code and routes the message accordingly in compliance with Austrian regulation.

“We selected OpenMIND Networks for its proven experience in deploying messaging platforms with the world’s leading mobile operators” said Dr. Heinz Lorenz, Head of Messaging, mobilkom austria.
“We are truly impressed by OpenMIND Networks’ fast and responsive R&D capability to quickly meet our requirements and their product’s ability to perform at high messaging traffic loads with extreme reliability. The Message-OS platform and IMX application offers us complete flexibility to build Premium SMS and other messaging applications quickly and efficiently, ensuring that mobilkom austria continues to provide our customers the latest mobile services.”

“With Message-OS, OpenMIND Networks provides mobilkom austria with the flexibility and technology they need to quickly develop and deploy new advanced messaging services,” said Alex Duncan, CEO, OpenMIND Networks.

“In an increasingly competitive marketplace, operators need our flexibility to ensure rapid response times and fast time to market for new revenue generating services. Message-OS achieves this, as it is designed to leverage the features of existing network components and therefore offers mobile operators great messaging value.”

The new Premium SMS service on Message-OS was launched, after an extremely short deployment cycle. Message-OS will be demonstrated throughout 3GSM World Congress at the OpenMIND Networks booth – Hall 1, Stand B22.

New 3G-324M-based Quality of Service (QoS) measurement tool enables operators to assess the quality of real-time 3G wireless video services

3GSM World Congress
Dilithium Networks, a leading provider of wireless multimedia solutions, announced today that it has developed a quality of service (QoS) measurement tool for 3G operators. The new product named VT-Probe enables operators offering advanced video services such as videotelephony, videoconferencing and real-time streaming, to perform measurements on their 3G wireless networks enabling the assessment of the quality of real-time video services delivered.

VT-probe is a software platform which can be integrated with a test equipment vendor or system integrator’s QoS systems and enables 3G operators to test video QoS of their services offered. The VT-Probe uses 3G-324M/H.324M technology to make/receive calls at regular intervals to other probes in the network and performs a variety of QoS key performance indicator measurements that cover service accessibility, reliability and media quality. The H.324M protocol is an ITU-T standard which has been adopted under the name 3G-324M by both 3GPP and 3GPP2 standards bodies enabling real-time conversational and streaming video services over 3G networks.

“Conversational video services are a key differentiator for 3G operators throughout the world,” said Paul Zuber, chief executive officer, Dilithium Networks. “As more operators offer 3G-video services, it is clearly important for them to perform network measurements and gather call statistics throughout their network, comparable to that of their existing voice networks. The VT-Probe enables operators to perform a variety of measurements that they can use to assess service level quality of their networks and make improvements to their service offerings.”

The VT-Probe is available to equipment vendors and system integrators now and is based on Dilithium Networks’ industry leading 3G-324M/H.324M protocol stack which has been shipping to customers since 1999. 

3GSM World Congress
AlphaCell Wireless 2001 Ltd., an Emblaze Group company and a provider of customised mobile handsets for the entertainment market, has announced the imminent launch of its M5 Music model. This new mobile handset has a design and user-interface dedicated to mobile music services, which can be handpicked by operators. Visitors to AlphaCell’s stand at 3GSM (Hall 4, Stand 2K) will be able to try out the M5 Music first hand.

The M5 Music marries form with function. It is a pocket-sized device with an ergonomic design for a convenient and enjoyable listening experience. AlphaCell has designed the handset with four programmable soft keys around the screen that offer one touch access to music content and operator services.

AlphaCell has incorporated a tailored, customisable interface into the M5 Music, which gives easy access to stored artist lists, a playlist organiser and music-themed content. Complementing this is a host of further interactive connectivity features including email, MMS, SMS and Internet browsing.

The M5 Music contains an MP3 player and port for an MMC SD card, alongside advanced audio and visual effects, including a 10-band equalizer, preset sounds and ID3 tags. MP3 files can be copied to the M5 Music for ‘on the go’ listening and it can also sync with a computer in order to download favourite music clips. The handset stores up to nine hours of music and more when attaching an MMC card.

With revenues from music and media services is predicted to grow from $906 million in 2004 to $5.9 billion in 2007, according to Strategy Analytics, the M5 Music is aimed squarely at the youth market. It offers a ready-made revenue stream for operators via its tailored content and instantly accessible services. The customisable user interface is also an opportunity for brand continuity and extension.

Avner Mor, CEO of AlphaCell, explained: “We have created a phone dedicated to the rapidly growing interest in music over mobile devices. It means that operators can now develop a handset with content, services and design values that tap directly into this increasingly popular sector.”

“Instead, the M5 Music lets operators decide what content and services they will include and how they will generate revenue from the phone. We can help with this, by providing content from Emblaze Systems for instance, but the ultimate power is with the operator.”