Market Corner N54 (1)

[            GSM Association reports that the number of available 3G UMTS handsets rose to 139, up 200% in 9 months. 25 suppliers have launched UMTS phones.

[            According to Infonetics, worldwide WiFi equipment revenues increased 15% to $2.8bn in 2004.

[            A new study, from Bear, Stearns & Co, found that wireless growth was driven by the need for security and the ability to connect with family. The study also says that untapped market segments may not prove as lucrative (ARPU about $ 30) as early adopter segments (current ARPU about $50).

[            According to Gartner, worldwide Ethernet switches revenues increased 24% to $9bn in 2004.

[            IDC reports unified messaging (UM) market grew 4% to €369m. UM refers to applications that unite e-mail, fax, and voice messages in a single mailbox, accessible by a PC, browser or telephone.

[            3G Americas reports 169% growth in Latam GSM in 2004 to 60m mobile subscribers. Latam CDMA mobile subscribers reached 40m.

[            OMRON Corp, from Japan, has introduced a facial recognition technology that can be incorporated into cellphones.

[            Two new GSM payphones applications: GSM payphones can be used in cabs (tested in South Africa by Taxifone) and to rural communities (tested by MTN Rwanda).

[            According to Strategy Analytics, digital TV penetration in Europe reached about 26%, with satellite still the main TV platform (25m households). Digital Terrestrial TV (DTTV) and IP TV are gaining some footprint in the market with respectively 4.4m and 450k subscribers in 2004. By 2010, DTTV and IPTV would reach respectively 42.2m and 11.3m.

[            Online entertainment is expected to grow to $36bn in 2009, from $ 12.3bn in 2004, according to RHK. IPTV would be the main growth driver.