Article re-printed with kind permission from GSM Q, March 2001 Issue 19

In this issue's review, the Global mobile Suppliers Association outlines its success and growth worldwide and details its programme and key issues for 2001, while Alan Hadden focuses upon bridging the gaps to interoperability.

The year 2000 was another year of achievement for GSA programmes and member organisations. The globalisation of GSM extended deep into Latin America following the decision by Brazil to licence new PCS services at 1800MHz, quickly followed in North America with the AT&T decision to invest in GSM nationwide. As part of the follow-through programme in Brazil, GSA conducted a well-attended and highly successful seminar, GSM: Business Opportunities, in Rio de Janeiro, in conjunction with the GSM Americas conference and exhibition.

Programmes
GSA's Global Mobile Dialogue™ provides an excellent forum for the efficient interchange of ideas between GSA member organisations and key industry opinion-formers and influencers. Discussions in Barcelona and Rio de Janeiro attracted industry praise for the GMD series, which will continue to build during this in coming years.

GSA represents the leading suppliers of GSM/3G products, systems and services globally. Membership is rapidly expanding. The latest companies to join GSA include Motorola, Sema Telecoms, Martin Dawes Systems, AIRCOM International, Argogroup, LocatioNet, Schema, and SunTec, underlining its position as the voice and representative body for the mobile suppliers' industry globally.

An aggressive programme is in place for 2001. The Global Mobile Dialogue™ in Cannes, held to coincide with the 3GSM World Congress, examined the ways in which the industry is navigating the unfamiliar waters of a bear market. A total of six GMD discussions are planned throughout the year, with the next events being in Singapore (April) and Prague (May).

The first meeting under the New Ventures Program was also held in Cannes on 20 February 2001. The programme provided a neutral meeting point and focus for start-up content and applications companies to work with GSA member companies to promote and influence common interests, and to encourage development of, and access to, the 3G services market.

GSA's quarterly survey of mobile portal services is another important initiative which adds real value for the industry. The growth of mobile portals represents an important development and business area, heralding many of the personalised applications and services which are envisaged as holding the key to the successful realisation of 3G in the future. Launched at the 3GSM World Congress, the survey's primary objective is to provide insight into the evolution of a selection of mobile portals across Europe and beyond, by looking at the WAP services they offer, with trends information and analysis. Services and content are divided into six main categories. The survey is available for download from GSA's website and in the first release covers 69 mobile portals in 17 countries.

Several GSA seminars are scheduled throughout the year, one in each of the major regions worldwide. The next events - in Asia and Europe - will focus on the 3G/UMTS business opportunity. All topics at these seminars are presented exclusively by GSA member organisations, with the seminars complementing GSA's regional programmes.

Addressing needs
GSA will continue to deliver the suppliers' market perspective to global standardisation activities through its role as a Market Representation Partner in 3GPP. The transition to 3G is a key issue for the whole industry. Understanding the opportunities and the 2G/3G roadmap are fundamental needs which GSA is addressing via 3GPP and other activities. Operator's deployment strategies and technology choices are crucial in the transition phase towards 3G multimedia services.

One of GSA's key tasks in 2001 is to clarify and provide information about the contribution of all the available technologies, including GPRS and EDGE, as the market evolves towards UMTS, to ensure optimal services delivery, investment and profit opportunities.

The worldwide market acceptance and success of GSM, providing a clear evolution to global 3G systems, has resulted in technological convergence. The next step is to build the services and markets globally. GSA is committed to this with key programmes for delivering results and adding value, bringing leadership, voice, resources and influence through market power as the suppliers' representative body for the mobile industry globally.

Alan Hadden, president GSA

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