DUBLIN, Ireland—U.K.-based Research firm Strategy Analytics has claimed that mobile operators are missing opportunities to rejuvenate their average revenue per user (ARPU) rates by not making the most of opportunities in voice traffic."In recent years, mobile operators have become starry eyed at the prospect...
DUBLIN, Ireland—A new report from U.K.-based analysts Strategy Analytics suggests that a number of handset vendors could be prime targets for larger rivals. The report, "Western Europe Operators' Handset Vendor Strategies," indicates that while Alcatel, Philips and Sagem handsets are sold by half of...
DUBLIN, Ireland-General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) has been dogged by delays and technical problems ever since it emerged as the mobile industry's bridge between GSM and third-generation (3G) technology. But the modest development of other so-called 2.5G platforms should ensure that GPRS becomes more...
DUBLIN, Ireland-The cost of building individual third-generation (3G) networks has been described as a noose around the neck of European mobile operators already struggling with huge debts. But several 3G license winners could gain at least a stay of execution in the form of...
BOSTON-The mobile gaming experience is expected to improve dramatically during the next two to three years as 2.5 generation networks are deployed and Java-enabled devices proliferate, increasing the number of installed mobile game users to 100 million by 2006, said Strategy Analytics Inc. in...
LONDON-According to a study by Strategy Analytics Inc., Flextronics Inc. will become Western Europe's second largest cell phone manufacturer with 34.5 million units, or an 18.4 percent production share, in 2001.Neil Mawston, an analyst with Strategy Analytics, said, "Flextronics will grow its European production...
BOSTON-In a new report, Strategy Analytics said it expects 2.5-generation technologies to dominate the world market through 2010, generating revenues of about $450 billion with 1.3 billion users."Globally in 2010, of the expected 1.3 billion wireless data users, only 24 percent will access 3G...
DUBLIN, Ireland-Having spent vast sums on third-generation (3G) mobile licenses, operators are hoping terminals will live up to expectations. Unlike GSM, where handsets are broadly similar in appearance, it seems likely 3G handsets will come in a number of shapes and sizes to accommodate...
Voice traffic carried over Western Europe's cellular networks will increase more than fivefold between 1999 and 2005 to reach 1.1 trillion minutes per year, according to a new study from Strategy Analytics titled, "Western European Cellular Market Forecast (2000-2005)."Cellular pricing levels, however, will rise...
LONDON-Wireless Internet-capable devices are set for explosive growth in unit shipments as the price/performance equation shifts over the next five years to accommodate the growing information, communication and entertainment needs of wireless users, according to a report from Strategy Analytics.The report, "Wireless Devices for...
BOSTON-Research firm Strategy Analytics said it found commuters are spending increased time in their cars and consequently are placing a high priority on personalized advertising, information and entertainment that provides more value."The same music, the same advertising and the same traffic information for everyone...
LONDON-A new study by Strategy Analytics reports that players in Western Europe's cellular handset market will survive only if they develop product lines offering a well-segmented approach to the customer and ditch previous efforts of product segmentation along simple business and consumer lines.The report,...
While Vodafone AirTouch plc last week advanced its merger with Germany's Mannesmann AG, the company indicated it may look to fill in its footprint with smaller acquisitions.In particular, the company has been closing in on a bid for a stake in Spain's second-largest mobile...
After resisting a hostile takeover attempt by Vodafone AirTouch plc for more than two months, Germany's Mannesmann AG last week agreed to a revised friendly offer just days shy of the Feb. 7 deadline for Mannesmann shareholders to vote on the hostile bid.Mannesmann's supervisory...
New sales records of all kinds were set during last year's fourth quarter, reinforcing the importance of the last three months of the year for the wireless industry."In the cellular market, the battle for market share is won and lost in the fourth quarter,...
LONDON-The mobile commerce market could reach $200 billion by 2004, according to a study released by Strategy Analytics.The report predicts an explosion in demand for mobile commerce services during the next five years with technology enabling high-speed wireless networks to provide applications for electronic...
This holiday season heralded the beginning of the e-commerce revolution, and wireless operators have the opportunity to cash in on it with the growing proliferation of Internet-enabled wireless phones and handheld computers.Optimism among the analyst community is rampant. Most recently, Strategy Analytics predicted the...
Did you see Virginia Tech freshman quarterback Michael Vick play last week in the Nokia Sugar Bowl? Wow! I don't follow college ball so I had never heard of this freshman standout. One ABC announcer dubbed him the Holy Grail of new football players.He's...
Mannesmann AG, parent of Germany's top mobile communications company, confirmed last week it made a bid to buy U.K. mobile carrier Orange plc, which Orange's largest shareholder accepted.The bid values Orange, the United Kingdom's third-largest mobile operator, at about $32 billion.Hong Kong-based Hutchison Whampoa,...
MCI WorldCom Inc. and Sprint Corp. last week agreed to a definitive merger agreement that will combine the second- and third-largest U.S. long-distance carriers and give MCI WorldCom a much-needed nationwide wireless presence.According to the agreement, each share of Sprint will be exchanged for...
While carriers publicly push ahead with their third-generation technology migration plans, behind the scenes, some may be evaluating technology conversions that could be more cost effective in the long run.Sources close to AT&T Corp. say the nationwide telecommunications carrier is technically studying Code Division...
The U.S. cellular adoption level is fast approaching 30 percent-not bad. However, it's also a long way from the penetration rates we see in Europe, particularly in the benchmark countries of Scandinavia.Will the United States match Finland with a 69-percent penetration rate any time...
Wireless industry members agree smart phones will become a critical differentiating factor for handset vendors and mobile-phone operators within the next two years, but the proliferation of these devices remains relatively unknown.For handset providers, smart phones represent an opportunity to extend their products, boost...
LUTON, England-Cellular penetration in western Europe is expected to surpass 70 percent within five years, according to a new report by Strategy Analytics titled "Mobile Communications Service-Europe."Annual service revenues could grow to more than $150 billion during that time. However, average revenue per user...
