DUBLIN, Ireland-Having spent vast sums on third-generation (3G) mobile licenses, operators are hoping terminals will live up to expectations. Unlike GSM, where handsets are broadly similar in appearance, it seems likely 3G handsets will come in a number of shapes and sizes to accommodate a variety of new and modified technologies.
At the recent UMTS 2000 conference in Barcelona, Spain, several network operators voiced concern there would not be enough handsets to satisfy early user demand for 3G services, as happened with Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) units. But the major manufacturers dismissed this suggestion and preferred to talk about the features their handsets will incorporate.
According to Mark Squires, Nokia U.K. business development manager, 3G handsets have no standard blueprint. “I think most observers agree that there will be three different types,” he said. “One will be similar to the phone most people use today, perhaps with some display enhancements. There will also be a personal organizer-type handset along the same lines as the Palm device, with a screen large enough to facilitate Web browsing.”
“I would expect a Palm-type device incorporating a touch screen and stylus to be the most common platform for third-generation handsets,” said Sara Harris, senior European wireless industry analyst at U.K.-based Strategy Analytics. “The keyboard will be important only to a minority of users.”
However, Squires expects a third handset type resembling current handheld computers, with a full keyboard and a larger screen. “This device will be more of a professional work tool that will synchronize with a desktop PC.
“There are no surprises here. The phone, PDA and palmtop computer are already popular devices, and if people are comfortable using them, then adding mobile connectivity simply reinforces their usefulness,” Squires said.
Conor Pierce, Ericsson sales and product manager for Ireland, does not envision such a broad range of devices, but said Ericsson 3G phones will have a number of key features. “The first is multimedia messaging, which will incorporate video streaming and digital imaging,” Pierce said. “These phones will also have e-mail and handwriting recognition and may eventually have voice-to-text input where the user can speak a message to be sent as text. Features like SMS (short message service) and predictive messaging will be commonplace.”
Another notable feature will be support for location-based services. “This might be achieved by placing a GPS (global positioning system) module within the handset, which can identify where you are anywhere in the world. For example, you could be in Stockholm and decide to buy a CD. The online directory could pull down a map from the Internet and guide you to the nearest shop,” he added.
Pierce said the memory and chip processing qualities of 3G phones will be far superior to current technology, and screen quality will also improve with larger, color displays that open up video capabilities. “For example, you’ll be able to download video trailers on your way home from work to help you decide what to watch in the cinema that evening,” he said.
“The appearance of the phones will change. The screen will be larger and more rectangular, and the device itself will be oval in shape. Phone calls will be made by using handwriting recognition to write a name or number from a `virtual’ keypad that will appear on your screen. The higher network capacity will also support video conferencing using an in-built camera on the handheld device.”
Harris of Strategy Analytics does not expect voice-recognition technology to play a major role. “Voice recognition is not suitable,” she said. “No one will ask for sensitive information in a public place because of confidentiality issues.”
But with commercial 3G services still more than a year away in Europe, we can expect plenty more guesswork.
