Article re-printed with kind permission from GSM Q, October 2000 Issue 18
In this issue's review, the Global mobile Suppliers Association explains how it can help industry players prepare for new
marketing opportunities, while GSA president Alan Hadden emphasises the need to be ready for the arrival of GPRS.
Penetration of mobile services has passed 50 per cent across Europe and approaches 60 per cent in several Asian markets.
Meanwhile, the growth of SMS demonstrates a clear market for non-voice services and the Internet takes on an ever-increasing
significance in our working and personal lives. The twin trends of globalisation and convergence are clearly evident.
As the world's most widely used mobile technology, GSM is uniquely placed to drive the convergence of the
telecommunications, computing and content sectors to create the mobile Internet and m-commerce. GSM already provides mobile
Internet access that spans the world. WAP and SMS text messaging provide platforms for interactive services.
As an agreed foundation for third generation mobile services, GSM is a futureproof investment. The expertise and experience
accumulated by GSM operators and suppliers around the world have been, and will continue to be a driving force - and soon
this expertise will be on show in Brazil.
The decision in June by Brazilian regulator Anatel that new PCS services will be licensed to
operate in the 1800 MHz frequency band is both welcome and highly significant. Firstly, it means that GSM will soon come to
Brazil, which GSA has campaigned hard for. Secondly, by keeping the 1900 MHz band clear, spectrum
which WARC 92 identified for use for IMT-2000 services, Brazil has ensured it has a clear roadmap to the full vision of
3G/IMT-2000 services by harmonising its spectrum plans with those of virtually all other world regions.
Of strong relevance to proposed or forthcoming 3G networks will be services developed for GPRS. GPRS will deliver more
bandwidth, higher speeds and "always-on" packet data capabilities. The combination of WAP and GPRS will revolutionise how we
perceive and use mobile services. GPRS services will further enhance bandwidth and speed, allowing applications developers
to add new levels of interactivity while GSM will bring economies of scale.
GSA has a number of programmes to explain, to promote and to help prepare all players for the new market opportunities. Some
recent highlights include:
| - | | focusing on IPv6 as a fundamental component for the Mobile Information Society, essential for growth and future services. IPv6 delivers massive address space, enhanced security, quality of service functionalities and global services. GSA believes that GSM operators should adopt IPv6 now as everything is in place, thus avoiding painful transitions later |
| - | | launch in early summer of GSA's own WAP site for beta testing amongst member organisations. This is providing valuable information about WAP service on key issues including interoperability and experiences when roaming |
| - | | providing guidance to encourage and help operators in all regions to prepare for GPRS-based deployments |
| - | | ensuring clear focus on applications and services |
| - | | managing realistic customer expectations |
| - | | explaining the roadmap to 3G services via GPRS to EDGE and UMTS |
| - | | contributing through our role as a Market Representation Partner in the 3GPP Organisational Partners and Project Co-ordination Group meetings in Beijing, held in July |
| - | | working with the UMTS Forum as one of the sponsors of its new market study to assess the market potential of 3G services in the Mobile Information Society |
| - | | continuing regional activities - for example in Latin America to build on Anatel's decision to license new PCS services in the 1800 MHz band. |
As the holiday season in the northern hemisphere comes to an end, an extremely busy period lies ahead with a number of exciting events imminent, including:
| - | | UMTS 2000, Barcelona. Several GSA member organisations will be exhibiting on the GSA Pavilion and the GSA provides a congress session chairman. A General Assembly meeting and Global Mobile Dialogue™ will both take place on the eve of the congress |
| - | | continuation of 3G licensing awards |
| - | | more operators launching their GPRS services |
| - | | ITU Telecom Asia 2000; GSA is an invited speaker at the Telecom Forum |
| - | | regional GSM-focused seminars and conferences, including those in Asia, the Middle East and Gulf regions, and Brazil. |
With its broad-based international membership of leading GSM and 3G suppliers worldwide,
GSA is extremely well placed to interpret, influence and deliver rapidly changing and exciting new market needs.
Alan Hadden, president GSA
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