Staff Reporter

The third-generation mobile phone system which is now in the process of standardisation aims to achieve data transmission speeds from 30 to 100 times higher than current rates.

Ultra-high voice clarity and mobile multimedia applications including video large-capacity data and internet access should be possible through this system. The W-CDMA system also utilises frequencies efficiently allowing more subscribers to share the system.

NECs prototype W-CDMA based mobile phone handset is a compact and lightweight (130g) foldable design. The viewer comprises a small camera microphone and 2-inch colour TFT-LCD screen.

The hands-free function enables users to converse whilst watching the screen. To enable wireless connection between the phone handset and the viewer screen.

NEC is using Bluetooth short-distance radio communications to separate the viewer from the mobile phone to make the phone highly portable and without connection cables or directional infra-red connection. The video phone will be demonstrated at Telecom 99 next week.

Ericsson has already launched its new T28 phone with a Lithium Polymer power source.

The credit card sized batteries give up to 3 hours talk time or up to six days standby time. Nokias first ultra-thin (7.8 millimetre) Lithium Polymer battery will be compatible with the Nokia 5100 Nokia 6100 and Nokia 7100 series digital phones. It weighs just 32 grams.

Li-Polymer has been around since the mid-1990s and has been of specific interest to mobile phone manufacturers as it allows for even smaller and lighter handsets.

The Li-Polymer battery cell doesnt need a hard metal casing. Instead the electrodes are covered with a flexible plastic or aluminum laminate foil. The battery contains no liquid as do traditional batteries.

The electrolyte is polymerised into a gel-like form. This allows for batteries to be designed in a variety of sizes and shapes that would be impossible using conventional battery cells.

Also there will be a need to replace handsets in many cases for full WAP services functionality. The introduction of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) means users will have to decide between buying a GPRS-enabled handset or the WAP-enabled handset.

The move to price calls from time used to the amount of data sent will slow the growth of WAP as many operators may need to upgrade to change their billing systems.

There is likely to be little content initially and the need for new services on the network may slow the uptake of WAP services as network providers may have technical issues when they implement the solutions on their network.

Some of these factors will also drive WAP use says IDC.

As more mobile phone owners use SMS services they are beginning to view their mobile handset and service more and more as a communication and information device as opposed to a simple voice telephone.

There is no doubting the benefits that wireless application protocol can bring to mobile phone users particularly business users but in many resp

The new store is at Drake House Retail Park in Sheffield.

The store opened on Saturday (October 2) with a champagne launch and opening offer giving customers a free Nokia 5110 free connection and free colour cover.

The Mobile Phone Store which is 40 per cent owned by BTCellnet is planning to open a further 14 Northern Electric concessions to add to its 98 stores.

Ericsson will provide branding across all areas to the site with links to view and win Ericsson products such as the MC218 palmtop and latest T28 phone.

Ericsson is no stranger to rugby sponsorship and is now one year into a three-year sponsorship of Premier League side Wasps the Tetleys Bitter Cup Champions.

Eircell chief Stephen Brewer said:

Our new services will move the mobile phone from being a simple auditory device to being the customers personal assistant with relevant data services from traffic reports to up to the minute news and sports.

WAP services will be offered free of any content charge for the initial period with only the data call to the server billed under the existing Eirtime rates. Received SMS messages will be charged on receipt at 10p plus VAT.

Whittle ex-Talkland financial director joined Hugh Symons last year after he became disillusioned at his role at accessories company Ora. Whittle had been part of a two-man management buy-in team that acquired Ora from founder Malcolm Hanson. But the buy-in went sour and Hanson is now back in charge at Ora.

Hugh Roper set up Hugh Symons Wireless Data Services division (WDS) in 1994 and has been managing director of this associate company. He will now become Chairman of WDS with managerial responsibilities being passed to David Ffoulkes-Jones.

Martin Pearson also joins the board responsible for Hugh Symons Mobile Data and Text and Data. He joined as business unit manager for Hugh Symons MobileData in 1998

Whittle told Mobile News:

Geoff Roper thought it appropriate to appoint his son Hugh as MD and this restructuring left no room for me. I enjoyed my time there and was glad to have been able to help. I have a tremendous respect for Geoff who is a man of immense vision and we have parted on very good terms. Hugh Symons is an excellent business in very good shape. I wish them well and have no doubt that they have a good future.

The BusinessPhone service works through software in an integrated PDA and phone. It uses individual or group mobile phone profiles to place call duration limits on handsets and limit calls to certain numbers. Daily or weekly call limits can be applied. Businesses can adjust any phone profile themselves.

BusinessPhone is currently available on the O2 network and the xda although Cognito says the service can be transferred to any PDA and phone combination.

The service is aimed at big businesses as well as fleet or delivery operations that stand to benefit from the free text messaging offer.

Cognito will sell the product direct but is also looking for service providers and dealers to provide distribution.

The quantities of kit to be ordered are expected to dwarf the inventories of the major distributors such as 20:20 Logistics and European Telecom.

The partnership will be effective from early April and is expected to account for 14 per cent of total market share of pre-pay mobile communication.

We are all constantly looking at ways we can put the customer first. As the mobile communications market develops and new technology and services become available it is essential that we retain our competitive edge in order to provide the best possible service said Carphone Warehouse managing director Charles Dunstone.

This agreement will allow us to continue to provide the (cont P2) best packages for our customers while accessing the latest developments in the industry especially in relation to pre-pay mobile phones.

Woolworths managing director Leo McKee said:

We will be exploring a number of options including accessing Carphone Warehouses expertise via concessions in selected Woolworths sites.

Meanwhile BTCellnet and Halifax have partnered to provide on-line banking by the summer with SMS text messaging and WAP banking followed by GPRS high-speed data services in the Autumn.

Other Natwest services will include the ability to look at the 12 most recent transactions and via the Short Message Service (SMS) be alerted to things such as when their balances reach a certain limit or that their credit card payment is due.

The service has been developed with Orange. NatWest says more than 100000 people have signed up to its Internet banking service since its introduction in November. An average of more than 1700 a day have joined since the beginning of this year.

BTCellnet will supply Halifax with mobile services.

The face of banking is rapidly changing and is being driven by technology and mobile communications said BTCellnet MD Peter Erskine.

Asecurity guard who stole a mobile phone from the place he was supposed to be guarding was fined 200 after pleading guilty to stealing the Nokia phone from the offices in Grosvenor Place.

James Wallace was arrested at the building on January 31 and the stolen phone was found when the police searched his house.

He admitted stealing the phone from a fourth floor office while patrolling the building.

The court was told the companys security manager called in the police after the phone went missing.

His solicitor said he had been tempted in a moment of weakness and had considered returning the phone.