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Notiziario Marketpress di
Giovedì 16 Marzo 2000 |
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INCREASED ROAMING, TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS AND SEAMLESS INTEGRATION WITH THE FIXED NETWORK, CRUCIAL TO THE FUTURE OF MOBILE IP
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Milano, 16 marzo 2000 - Ovum report explores the technology strategies and user expectations for mobile Ip Wireless Internet has become a catch phrase for vendors and operators alike; many times stirring up consumer interest in services that have yet to reach maturity. In fact, many of the initial developments to the Internet Protocol (Ip) have not taken into account the increasing demand for mobile access. Without enhancements to Ip, mobile access to the Internet will be extremely limited and so will the types of services and applications available from a mobile terminal. According to a new report released today by independent research and consulting company Ovum, the mobile Ip market is evolving, but requires technology enhancements and increased roaming capabilities before full integration with the fixed Ip network can be achieved. "Over the past two years, significant advances have been made to the ´next generation network´, however, interoperation barriers between fixed Ip and cellular Ip networks are creating major obstacles for providing mobile Ip services, " says Dr. Iain Stevenson, lead author of Ovum´s report, Mobile Ip. "But, as well as needing these technical advances, without the correct balance between user demand, the commercial goals of the operators and political focus, the market will be stifled. " Additionally, while innovations such as Wap are paving the way for enhanced mobile services, limited bandwidth capabilities and inability to automatically recreate many types of Web content for display on handsets questions whether or not Wap will be able to deliver on its goals. Ovum finds that while the ´grand vision´ of network integration is highly desirable, the reality is that the industry will not deliver it overnight. The report finds that: While convergence between the Pstn and Ip is progressing well, the inclusion of the cellular network is barely considered by operators New opportunities in the cellular market will only be realised for applications that work with limited bandwidth over the next 5 years Lack of a commercial case for inter-operator Ip roaming will limit the deployment of mobile Ip connections in the fixed network Regulators need to focus on Ip interconnectivity and ensure that 3G licenses include conditions for enhanced services, these networks must be designed for more than just voice calls. For the user, the barriers will be service effectiveness and cost. Internet usage over the fixed and mobile networks will differ in operation, and user willingness to pay for these services will also differ. "Demand and uptake for mobile Internet services will be influenced by a range of factors, many of which are not under the control of the individual operators and service providers, " states Dr. Stevenson. "The end-user experience depends on whether the mobility service is used in a business or personal context, the terminal type and the number and types of networks the traffic must cross. " Ovum finds that without Ip roaming, users will be denied service as they travel - due to the lack of interconnect between operators. Additionally, while low-bandwidth information services such as Sms are a success, they are far from the dream of multimedia over wireless. Deeply rooted in the evolution of mobile Ip is the cost of building infrastructure and the issue of technology enhancement. "Ip must improve, " confirms Dr. Stevenson. "Without a standard and widely accepted mobile Ip protocol, quality of service guarantees and secure authentication and encryption procedures, user adoption will be stalled. The components are taking shape, but there is a need to: Develop existing protocols in scope to cover the fixed and cellular networks Develop solutions that scale to deployment within large carriers Extend existing call models used within gateway controllers to cover existing In applications - enabling innovative, cross-network services. These changes will require equipment vendors to broaden their market vision. For vendors with no established market to cellular carriers, integration with Ip provides a significant opportunity for market entry. Mobile terminal vendors will also benefit from the move to Ip. Once 3G networks are established, and it becomes possible to include voice and data client software in the terminal, the full range of next generation network services becomes available to the user. Ovum is quick to point out that mobile Ip will also face regional hurdles. In areas like the Uk and Europe where Gsm is dominant, the upgrade path will be to Gprs and then Umts. In the Americas and Asian countries that follow Us technology, the upgrade will be to Cdma 2000. "Gsm has been one of the great success stories in telecoms, but for voice not Ip, " says Dr. Stevenson. "The upgrade path for Gsm through Gprs will be cheaper, but only delivers narrowband capability. That said, Us-based operators of Cdma networks could release high speed mobile Ip applications much more quickly, beating out counterparts in other regions of the world. " There will be low bandwidth, but uniform progress in the Gsm world. In the Us, the result will be patchy deployment of Ip services in metropolitan ´hot spots´ using Cdma technology. However, Dr. Stevenson concludes: "Regardless of regional technology differences, the key to mobile Ip will be developing open standards and increased roaming capabilities that will soon integrate the fixed and mobile Internet worlds. " Mobile Ip is available now and costs £2095, €3355, Us$3695 or A$5025. Authored by analysts Dr. Iain Stevenson, Edward Pugh and John Davison, the report explores the viability of the mobile Ip market, offering in-depth analysis of business strategies for delivering Ip over the fixed and mobile network. It includes regional forecasts for the interworking components needed to develop 2. 5G and 3G cellular networks, and details market scenarios and strategies for operators such as At&t, Vodafone and Orange, and handset and network equipment vendors including Nortel, Lucent and Nokia. For further product information, please visit http: //www. Ovum. Com or call +44 (0)20 7551 9031. Ovum is an independent research and consulting company, offering expert advice on It, telecommunications and e-commerce. Ovum´s mission is to help its customers make successful decisions. Its analysis of key market, technical and regulatory developments is highly respected worldwide for its authority, quality and clarity. Established in 1985, Ovum has a dynamic growth record of 25% per year, and offices in London, Boston and Melbourne. Ovum´s 80 analysts provide reports, advisory services, and strategic consultancy to suppliers, users and policy makers worldwide. . |
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