Wireless broadband, Mobile TV and mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) will be some of the key themes at this year�s CTIA Wireless 2006 conference in Las Vegas, according to analysts Informa Telecoms & Media.
Rollouts of HSDPA and 1xEV-DO Rev. A are expected to take center stage as operators look to enable faster delivery of multimedia services to the end-user. �Ask anyone in the industry the hottest topics for 2006, everyone will say �Mobile TV�, says Nick Lane, Principal Analyst at Informa Telecoms & Media.
Although Digital Mobile Broadcast (DMB) will be the technology of choice in a number of markets worldwide for the next couple of years, Qualcomm�s MediaFLO solution and Modea�s DVB-H will both figure large in Las Vegas.
However, Lane added that mobile music should also not be forgotten as full track downloads are taking 30 seconds or less on 3G networks. �As an industry it�s only natural to look to the next big thing, but it is the consumer that we must consider at all times as ultimately they determine what�s successful � he said.
In early February 2006, U.S. operator Sprint Nextel disclosed that its Sprint Music Store had reached a milestone with 1 million track downloads since the service launched on Oct. 24, 2005. And the U.S. market is gaining competition as MVNO Amp�d takes on the heavyweight Apple iTunes with its 99 cent full-track dual-delivered (handset & PC) music download model. Operator Verizon Wireless is pushing a similar full-track service, charging 99 cents for PC-downloaded songs and $1.99 for dual-delivery to a handset and PC.
�The MVNO business is developing quite differently in the United States than it has in other markets. The U.S. is seeing the rise of a host of brand- and content-driven MVNOs targeting a variety of customer niches. Recently launched examples include Amp�d and Mobile ESPN. Other MVNOs launching imminently include Helio and Disney Mobile, with Disney Mobile officially announcing its new service on Wednesday at the CTIA event,� noted Tammy Parker, Principal Analyst-North America.
Despite the continued excitement for applications and services it is worth remembering that update of such services goes hand in hand with high speed access. "The momentum is towards ever increasing speeds and ever increasing complexity," says Gavin Patterson, Principal Analyst at Informa Telecoms & Media.
Rollouts of HSDPA and 1xEV-DO Rev. A are expected to take center stage as operators look to enable faster delivery of multimedia services to the end-user. �Ask anyone in the industry the hottest topics for 2006, everyone will say �Mobile TV�, says Nick Lane, Principal Analyst at Informa Telecoms & Media.
Although Digital Mobile Broadcast (DMB) will be the technology of choice in a number of markets worldwide for the next couple of years, Qualcomm�s MediaFLO solution and Modea�s DVB-H will both figure large in Las Vegas.
However, Lane added that mobile music should also not be forgotten as full track downloads are taking 30 seconds or less on 3G networks. �As an industry it�s only natural to look to the next big thing, but it is the consumer that we must consider at all times as ultimately they determine what�s successful � he said.
In early February 2006, U.S. operator Sprint Nextel disclosed that its Sprint Music Store had reached a milestone with 1 million track downloads since the service launched on Oct. 24, 2005. And the U.S. market is gaining competition as MVNO Amp�d takes on the heavyweight Apple iTunes with its 99 cent full-track dual-delivered (handset & PC) music download model. Operator Verizon Wireless is pushing a similar full-track service, charging 99 cents for PC-downloaded songs and $1.99 for dual-delivery to a handset and PC.
�The MVNO business is developing quite differently in the United States than it has in other markets. The U.S. is seeing the rise of a host of brand- and content-driven MVNOs targeting a variety of customer niches. Recently launched examples include Amp�d and Mobile ESPN. Other MVNOs launching imminently include Helio and Disney Mobile, with Disney Mobile officially announcing its new service on Wednesday at the CTIA event,� noted Tammy Parker, Principal Analyst-North America.
Despite the continued excitement for applications and services it is worth remembering that update of such services goes hand in hand with high speed access. "The momentum is towards ever increasing speeds and ever increasing complexity," says Gavin Patterson, Principal Analyst at Informa Telecoms & Media.