Market Researches - 18/06/05

• Ovum predicts that APAC could have some 103m broadband subscribers by 2009.

• The Open Mobile Alliance announced its Push To Talk Over Cellular (PoC) standard. It will facilitate interoperability between equipment and services.

• According to Yankee Group, wireless carriers should take action to protect minors from adult content and make some self-regulation, before the FCC is compelled to step in.

• Nokia/ Synovate new study reveals that consumers, in emerging countries, prefer buying criteria such as brand, phone and network services quality than price.

• Sony Ericsson forecasts a handset market of 720m units this year; Nokia forecasts 740m units, Gartner 750m units;

• NASA and Georgia Institute of Technology researchers announced low-cost satellite ground stations are coming soon. Key improvements are avoiding moving parts and use sophisticated software.

• According to CEPAL (Commission Economica para America Latina), LATAM achieved internet penetration of 14%, and only 1% in broadband access in 2004.

• According to Trendsmedia and Rethink Research Associates, early WiMAX opportunities will lie in the unlicensed 5.8 GHz band. In a separate announcement made at the CommunicAsia conference and exhibition, WiMAX should have some 7m subscriber by 2009 (3.5 m in Asia, 2m in Europe and 1.5m in NA). The APAC region is expected to be largest market for fixed WiMAX.

• According to BDA, China could issue 3G licenses next year, as China's homegrown standard becomes increasingly more viable as a 3G standard.

• Idate forecasts the M2M (machine-to-machine) to be worth €220bn by 2010, from $20bn in 2004.

• Juniper Research estimates that the total market for mobile location based services (LBS), will grow to over $8.5bn by 2010, from under $1bn in 2005.