OXFORD, United Kingdom-Fears that customers will not be attracted to third-generation (3G) networks would seem to be the motivation that has prompted the U.K. government to seriously consider launching a public/private portal for 3G content.
A member of the government responsible for e-commerce, Stephen Timms, said such a portal, already put forward to boost fixed-line broadband, could help 3G operators in the early days of commercial deployment. Seemingly responding to industry pleas for help, Timms said, “No doubt there will be rapid take-up of 3G, but compelling content will be important. We will be keeping an eye on it to see whether government involvement is required.”
Lack of compelling content to fully exploit the capabilities of 3G services has long been suggested as a major stumbling block for 2.5-generation (2.5G) and 3G services.
Regardless of this move, Hans Snook, veteran industry player and founder of Orange, remains fervent in his commitment to 3G services. “Its potential advantages are immense, and it will live up to its advance billing,” he recently declared.
