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Wireless
communications are strongly influencing which services
will be successful over the Internet and technologies
are likely to evolve accordingly. 3G networks will
allow advanced capabilities of videoconferencing,
shopping
and Web surfing on mobile devices, with payment
by packet not airtime.
Presently, wireless web access has focused more
on information, communication, and entertainment.
Users are more likely to research than buy, make
contact with people, do business and when time permits
they access games and music. |
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Web access and
faster wireless transmission rates has prompted
the number of Internet ready cell phone users in
Japan to rise from 30K in 2000 to 6.5M 2001. DoCoMo
wireless data and Internet service, one of the first
 recognized
networks for 3G in the world, is estimated to have
22M subscribers. Mobile web access is surging in
the US and Japan.
IDC, a research and consulting firm based in Framingham,
MA, has predicted by 2003 there will be upto 541
million wired, 743 million wireless Internet subscribers
with the United States having 61.5 million of these
(a 731% rise over the 7.4 million users of 1999)
Even if the present disappointing m-commerce rate
continues and the growth is not quite as predicted
the future transaction markets would be huge. However,
when consumers become comfortable with content structured
for
wireless devices and the 3G interface is availabe
things will be very different. Generally, predictions
concerning the future of wireless overlook specific
building for mobile devices, and translation of
those for wired use. |
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