POLAND
Lucent Technologies Inc. has collaborated with Novatel Wireless to supply third-generation UMTS PC card modems to Polish wireless carrier PTC. The operator said it has received initial shipments of the Merlin U530, with which it is launching its 3G service offering called ERA. “PTC … is the first service provider in Poland to put a UMTS network into service,” said Boguslaw Kulakowski, PTC’s president of the board. “Users of the Merlin U530 cards will enable PTC to offer their customers enhanced services such as secure wireless access to information-stored behind corporate walls-at data transfer speeds of up to 384 kilobits per second.”
UNITED KINGDOM
Two U.K. mobile software developers announced separate efforts to bring mobile content to the market. Action Engine Corp., a London-based developer, announced it plans to launch Brand-n-Go, a package of nine mobile content brands, next month. The applications include Amazon.com, FoxSports and eBay, and will be available to consumers using devices with Windows Mobile 2002 or 2003. The company hopes to launch a Symbian OS-enabled application as well. Meanwhile, Volantis announced the release of Managed Services, which allows content providers to deploy service to multiple network operators, enabling consumers to download ring tones, wallpaper or newsfeed services within a matter of weeks. The company initially expects to use the service to provide content from FT.com, eBay.co.uk, and Emap.
Mobile game publisher Overloaded will work with Nokia Corp. to develop games that fully exploit the handset manufacturer’s technology, the companies announced. The U.K. company joined Forum Nokia Pro, a program created by Nokia earlier this year to foster gaming development. Member companies work with the manufacturer to develop Nokia-friendly games and participate in marketing activities with Nokia. Overloaded produces TV-based games including “BigBrother” and “FearFactor,” as well as “Dragon Skies” and “Dan Parks Decathlon.”
