Hanson is an investor and non-executive director of the company.

Several of the networks and at least one major retail store are veryinterested in using the technology in their WAP applications he said.

The product is free to end-users who can download it from the BigThing web site.

Vodafone is using different systems developed by Barclays Merchant Services De La Rue E.Commercell e-pay e-Vita Omega Logic and PayPoint Network.

In January Vodafone carried out live trials with e-TopUp swipe cards enabling 17500 prepay mobile customers to automatically credit their Pay As You Talk accounts through 18 of its Vodafone Retail stores. To use the service registered customers will be issued with personalised e-TopUp swipe cards containing their mobile number stored in it.

When they need to top up customers simply take the e-TopUp card to the nearest retailer offering the e-TopUp service select the value they require credited to their account and pay.

The retailer swipes the e-TopUp card through the on-line counter terminal linked to the Vodafone network and credit is automatically applied to their mobile phone account.

Distributors will be informed which system comes into operation in which phase with estimated dates.

The Korean electronics giant has completed development of a thin-film-transistor LCD and says it is in a strong position to lead the market for 3G phones as soon as commercial services start in Europe and the USA.

Companies are trying out TFT-LCDs in sizes ranging from 1.5 to four inches but the two-inch models are merging as the standard because of portability and battery capacity considerations says Samsung.

The display uses external light instead of a power-hungry backlit devices found on portable PCs. The display can be adjusted to the amount of data being shown while the handset is in standby or talk mode. This reduces power consumption by two-thirds. A front-light is also installed to illuminate the screen even in the dark alleviating a problem found with reflection TFT-LCDs.

The devices will be supplied to both domestic and foreign phone makers. Samsung says it has maintained the top share of the world TFT-LCD market since 1998. The company has been focusing technical and marketing expertise on the high-growth market for TFT-LCDs of 10 inches or smaller.

The 94-strong chains 1 million cinema screen ad debut kicked off at Easter with a commercial showing people being offered bad advice or making wrong decisions.

The commercial uses the strap line We Help You Decide. This slogan will feature on all printed material and promotional literature.

Advertising on the big screen is a first not just for MPC but for the mobile phone retail sector said MPC head of marketing Mark Bond.

Its the perfect way to target our key customers. Cinema audiences are naturally attentive.

So the new advertising campaign allows us to communicate our key messages.

The cinema ad will be backed up by a regional press and radio campaign.

The commercial is directed by Steve Lowe who has also directed commercials for Kodak Toyota Barclays and Sega.

Digifone has already invested 20 million in mobile data services to date. Digifone plans to have the product commercially available by the end of the year.

Esat has rejected the HSCSD system embraced by Orange calling it a technological cul-de-sac becoming redundant within months of being introduced.

This is Digifones most significant single investment in data technology to date and builds on our extremely effective data strategy Esat Digifone CEO Barry Maloney said.

I saw lots of C12s being sold at car boot sales and thought there must be a market for people to use them on Vodafone. This does not allow free calls. It only unlocks the phone from BTCellnet. He claimed he had had around 300 hits to the website for two weeks but not all of these translated into sales.

The Federation of Communications Services Crime Prevention Inspectorate (CPI) was in danger of being shut down through lack of network funding … Brightpoints UK general manager Mark Mitchinson resigned to pursue other business interests… Vodafone won its 18-month battle to build a new international headquarters outside Newbury…

JWE was hit by ram-raiders who smashed through a steel barrier to steal 12000 worth of phones … Martin Dawes Telecommunications took over Cellphones Direct … European Telecom launched its own accessories company TAG after an unsuccessful attempt to buy ORA Electronics … Motorola produced a cheaper version of the StarTAC (the StarTAC 70) …

WaveTech became a service provider for Orange … Jan Peters became managing director of One 2 One … Amstrad said it would invest 5 million into Dancall … Vodafone launched its 15 million ad campaign starring Hollywood actor Kyle Twin Peaks McLachlan …

Calibar Connections employee

Kamaljit Bains was freed after a jury failed to agree whether or not she had been guilty of conspiring to re-chip stolen phones (her co-defendant boyfriend had done the gallant thing and skipped the country) … Cellnet announced it would be investing 3 million to brand itself at the Rugby World Cup … retired Vodafone chief executive Gerry Whent collected a knighthood from Buckingham Palace … Orange said it would roll out its network to 90 per cent coverage …