3GSM World Congress wrap-up (1) N52

Smartphones: Linux is making inroads in the mobile handset operating systems. Samsung and Infineon will use it for their future 3G smartphone. PalmSource also plans to use Linux in its devices, since it bought China MobileSoft. Linux is still a baby in the competitive OS market dominated by Symbian, Microsoft (Windows Mobile) and PalmSource (Cobalt).

According to Jupiter Research, the smartphone shipments would grow with a CAGR of 28% until 2009, and reach 9% of the cellular phone market (from 3.5% in 2004), while IMS predicted smartphones would account for 22% of the total handsets in 2009. Nokia estimates the smartphone market was 20m units in 2004 and would be 50m units this year.

Unlicensed Mobile Access enables GSM handsets with WLAN or Bluetooth capability to access the mobile network using the unlicensed air interface. It mainly allows taking advantage of WLAN improved indoor coverage and higher data rates. Kineto and Philips Electronics are teaming to bring a WiFi-enabled cellular system solution soon. Kineto is also working with Taiwan’s Chi Mei Communications Systems and BenQ handset manufacturers. Samsung has chosen Freescale to develop a UWB prototype phone.

Targeting the same market, but in a different way, a group of companies have banded to demo handoffs between GSM and Wi-Fi voice over IP networks. BridgePort, IBM, PCTEL, and Verisign are some of the companies involved in a group called MobileIGNITE which is supporting this type of roaming. Practically no doubt those mobile operators would rather support the UMA way, where they control the call from end to end and continue to bill.