The GPRS technology will be rolled out in the first half of next year and will be able to dramatically speed up mobile data applications such as news share prices and full e-mail transmissions to mobile phones. Speeds of up to 10 times those currently possible are expected.

GPRS allows users to be continually connected to the internet. Instead of sending a continuous stream of data over a permanent connection data is only sent when the network senses data is actually transmitted.

Within two years BTCellnet expects all new mobie phones and other mobile deices to be enbaled for instant internet access.

The mobile internet revolution will be the main business driver in the years ahead. This first call is a milestone in the run-up to the delivery of our GPRS services. These services will make a genuine difference to the mobile worker enabling them to send and receive information quickly and cost-effecitvley while on the move said BTCellnet managing director Peter Erskine.

Michael Stocks chairman of the GSM Association added:

GPRS development is moving very quickly. Each day we are a step closer to a new era of high speed wireless internet access and faster data speeds for millions of GSM customers. We are delighted by news of the first successful GPRS call on a live GSM network in the UK and are confident it will be the first of manymore announcements in the coming months.

GPRS trials are at key stages of development in Hong Kong Singapore Czech Republic France Germany Poland Sweden Denmark Belgium Austria and the UK.

The customer is Pocklington haulage company JCI International who will use the system to track drivers and cargo using GPS satellites as well as communicating with individuals and groups of drivers.

JWE has been dealing with JCI since 1983 and it was one of JWEs first ever customers.

Dolphin Telecoms ExpressNet combines digital radio cellular telephony and data.

The company is forecasting that it will be processing an additional 3000 handsets a month following its accreditation with Sagem – the French pre-pay handset manufacturer. Intec has accreditation with 16 handset manufacturers claimed by MD Harry Ramis to be the largest accreditation held by any service centre

Ramis says Intec expects next year to repair 20 per cent more phones a month with anticipated monthly turnaround projections of 30000 in the early part of 2000.

The company also made a gross profit of 3.11 million up from 880000 for the comparative period in 1998.

Around 95000 connections were logged up from 34000 a year ago and the number of call minutes doubled to 120 million.

The company is positioning itself as one the UKs leading switchless resellers of voice and data calls. It started as a distributor of personal telephone numbers and has now diversified to a broader business adding internet-related services.

Recent stock market listings in the UK have demonstrated the potential value of small and medium sized telecoms companies of which PNC Tele.com is a prime example said chief executive Geremy Thomas.

The system will handle all dealings with customers. It captures and retains information and triggers marketing and sales incentives.

The other shareholders are Samar Telecommunications (an Arab group of investors) and Societe Nationale dInvestissement the Moroccan holding company.

The Government of Morocco has the option to buy up to eight per cent of the companys equity.

The bid if successful is expected to create thousands of much-needed new jobs in Morocco.

The Moroccan market is ready for a new kind of mobile phone operator given that telecoms penetration in the country is so low this is an ideal opportunity to make the Orange concept of a wirefree future a reality said Colin Tucker Oranges chief operating officer for international activities.

Morocco is in an excellent strategic geographic position and will serve as a hub for investment in the whole area.

Vodafone says it will be organising further similar seminars for corporates and utilities to drive the growth of managed solutions that deliver real benefits.

Conway was formerly head of global business development for Motorolas International Network Ventures Group and was general counsel for Motorolas Subscriber Terminals Group.

Conway previously held key executive positions within the international cellular operations of Motorola where he served as a CEO vice chairman of the Board and has chaired steering committees to launch major wireless joint ventures world-wide.

He will be based at the GSM Associations headquarters in Dublin.

Robs role is fundamental to ensuring that we continue to develop and grow the range and depth of support services for our members in order to maintain future leadership of the ever evolving GSM standard said the GSM Associations chairman Michael Stocks.

The GSM Association is responsible for the development deployment and evolution of the GSM standard. It represents the interests of 347 GSM Satellite and 3rd Generation network operators regulators and administrative bodies from 133 countries of the world.

The Association also recently announced the launch of a new Associate Membership category for manufacturers and suppliers to further cement industry wide partnerships.

UbiNetics says the more important issue is achieving interoperability between standards and that there is already enough similarity between digital standards to do this.

Suddenly the harmonisation issue is less relevant says UbiNetics president Ali Pourtaheri.