Japanese Carriers See Decreased Revenues Despite Growth of 3G

If the Japanese market is any indication, 3G services do not necessarily translate into increased revenues, according to a New York Times report. Japanese carriers spent billions of dollars introducing 3G networks and services with the hope that these services would generate new revenues. Unfortunately, price wars resulting in all-you-can-use plans, and therefore lowered total customer spending, have not made this a reality. The report suggests U.S. carriers learn from their Japanese counterparts - avoid price wars, ensure advanced wireless networks are extensive and reliable, make handsets plentiful and affordable, and services practical and easy to use.

Source: New York Times

Wireless Gaming Expected to Reach $430 Million in 2009

Tetris remains one of the most popular computerized games, except now it is played on wireless phones. Although still a relatively small industry, wireless gaming is expected to grow from just $72 million in 2004 to $430 million in 2009, according to Jupiter Research. The potential for the industry has attracted a number of traditional video game publishers to the field, including THQ Inc., Electronic Arts Inc., Konami Digital Entertainment, Square Enix Co., Sega Corp. and Bandai Games. Due in large part to wireless handsets with larger color screens, faster chips and longer-lasting batteries, gaming publishers offer a wider menu of games, from simple "Frogger" to complex three-dimensional, action-adventure games, such as "Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow."

Source: Baltimore Sun

Report Details Sprint's Plans for Wireless

A Washington Post report examines how Sprint Corp. plans to "cut the cord" and focus on its wireless business. The company will relocate its corporate headquarters to Reston, VA upon merging with Nextel, forming the largest independent wireless carrier with no corporate ties to wireline companies. Sprint plans to partner with cable companies to offer alternate technologies replacing traditional wireline phone service and marketing bundles of entertainment and communications services, such as Internet-based phone service, high speed Internet connections and television and music via wireless phones. A new advertising campaign will encourage customers to "cut the cord" on wireline service and use only wireless. The company will also spend nearly $3 billion on its network to improve wireless coverage in buildings. Finally, the company is developing a wireless phone hybrid complete with built-in Wi-Fi technology, allowing users to make calls over an Internet-phone at home and over the wireless network when away from home.

Source: Washington Post

Two Way TV Australia Bets on Wireless Gambling

Two Way TV Australia, known for its expertise in interactive television, is aiming to capture the Asian market for gambling via wireless phones, which some forecasters expected to be a multibillion dollar industry by 2009. The company signed agreements with content developer Zone4Play, giving it Australian, New Zealand and Asian rights for technology to provide gambling over 3G wireless devices.

Source: Dow Jones Newswire

Report Examines Wireless Phone Use in Flight

According to a CNet News report, comments filed with the Federal Communications Commission suggest there may be an agreement to relax the rules banning wireless phone use on commercial flights. The report examines questions and answers focusing on when the rules will be relaxed, the technology that will allow it and why there currently is a ban.

Source: CNet News

Bono Asks Fans to Text Message

Bono, lead singer of U2 is using text messaging during his concerts to get U2 fans involved in his One Campaign. The rockstar asks fans to take out their wireless phones and urges them to text message their names to the One Campaign's number. Shortly after, the names appear like movie credits on the stage's big screen.
(Source: Washington Post)

Ringtone Reaffirms Teenagers' Spending Habits

According to the University of Birmingham, the success of The Crazy Frog's Axel F ringtone validates findings that teenagers spend more money on ringtones and computer games than music alone. The Crazy Frog Axel F is set to be the first wireless ringtone to top the charts, according to a BBC News report.
(Source: BBC News)