Now that users are beginning to see what all the fuss over WAP was about there is a significant danger of disappointment and backlash against the technology says Michele Mackenzie Ovum analyst and lead author of the report WAP Market Strategies.

WAP was never meant as the be-all and end-all of mobile internet. As and when mobile network improvements allow more sophisticated technologies will take centre stage. But before that happens players will have to work extra hard to get user buy-in and overcome any backlash

As Ovums report points out the development of WAP was never going to be easy given the widely differing interests of the players involved in what Ovum calls collision of the mobile world with the internet world. This has resulted in slow progress and disappointing early releases of the technology.

In fact WAP may end up being squeezed as next-generation technologies catch up during the next three years. In the meantime although WAP has massive industry backing the delays in decision-making are leading some players to hedge their bets. Ericsson for example is backing a dual-mode microbrowser.

Even worse the development of WAP handsets has been out of step with coming 2G+ mobile network upgrades. This means that the early WAP user will need to buy yet another handset to take advantage of the faster speeds. That will cause customer alienation and marketing headaches for the handset vendors predicts Mackenzie.

All of this serves to warn potential mobile internet players that the time to act is now rather than later.

Operators and content pro-viders cant afford to wait for better technology. They can act now by moving beyond the hype and playing to the strengths of WAP. They must become wireless data champions and encourage adoption by delivering really compelling and innovative applications. Only by doing that can they hope to survive to fight tomorrows battles.

Ovum also advises operators to invest heavily in customer support. The operator is responsible for controlling user expectations of the services. So it will be the first port of call for user backlash when the WAP hangover sets in.

Ovum predicts 1.5 billion mobile subscribers globally by 2006 684 million of which will use microbrowser-enabled based on WAP and/or other technologies services. This compares with 500 million fixed Internet users. By 2006 82 cer cent of the installed base will be microbrowser-enabled.

Gateway is bundling for free LexicosLite software by mobile internet applications developer Peremon to enable Gateway.net users to access read and reply to e-mails from a WAP phone by cllicking on the phones Gateway.net link. Gateway customers can have one e-mail address from their PC and phone.

There are two Globalstar handsets the Ericsson R290 ( 1200) and the Telit SAT550 ( 800). Calls within the UK and from the UK to Western Europe and the USA) will be approximately $2.24 per minute. Call charges may be subject to service provider mark-up VAT and fluctuating exchange rates.

Customers can retain their existing Vodafone number and get the same benefits of GSM (voice calls text messaging (SMS) voicemail and roaming with additional services such as fax data transmission and positioning services scheduled for rollout in due course.

Globalstar is now available across virtually all of Europe. Vodafone and AirTouch individually were founding partners of Globalstar and holds a 6.5 per cent share.

The Globalstar system comprises 48 low-earth-orbiting satellites. By next year Globalstar service will be available in over 120 countries. There are now 37 countries in full service

Offering the Globalstar service as part of our existing roaming portfolio gives Vodafone customers even more scope to stay in touch said Peter Bamford chief executive of Vodafone UK.

We already have roaming agreements with 237 networks across 108 countries and Globalstar will ensure that our customers benefit from maximum use of their Vodafone in even more areas of the world.

We anticipate wide-ranging interest in Globalstar from people whose work or leisure interests take them to far-flung corners of the world. The service will also be invaluable in the UK for professions such as the utilities emergency services and the marine community.

Bernard L. Schwartz chairman and chief executive officer of Globalstar added:

Globalstar is now available across virtually all of Europe complementing our existing service on five other continents. Eighty five per cent of the worlds land mass remains unserved by cellular.

This follows the resignation of AirTouch founder Sam Ginn who became chairman last June when the merger between Vodafone and AirTouch was completed. Ginn was previously chairman and chief executive of AirTouch Communications Inc.

An ex-Tesco chairman LordMacLaurin joined the Board of Vodafone in January 1997 as a non-executive Director and was elected chairman in 1998.

When the merger between Vodafone and AirTouch was completed in June 1999 he stepped down to become deputy chairman of the combined Group.

Sam Ginn committed himself to the successful integration of AirTouch into VodafoneAirTouch. That process has now been completed successfully. I thank him for his contribution to the integration of the two companies and the advice and counsel he provided as chairman of the board and I wish him well in the future said VodafoneAirTouch CEO Chris Gent.

Ian MacLaurins re-appointment as chairman is excellent news and this will provide his wealth of experience throughout many areas of business and a degree of continuity through the current period of significant growth and change. This will undoubtedly be a major advantage for the company Gent said.

The move follows over six months of negotiations with the worlds leading network companies.

Ericsson is a second supplier and will further develop its existing role as the supplier of the fixed and mobile core networks supporting the change from GSM to 3G. BTCellnet will be delivering fast internet access video-conferencing games music on the move and a variety of m-commerce applications to the UK.

Third Generation mobile phones go on sale at the end of 2001. BTCellnet will continue to work with Nokia and Motorola on existing mobile networks and applications.

The promotion is called Bring Your Own Mobile and involves a 12.50 service pack containing a SIM card internet access CD and 10 worth of calls.

Customers can check their current handset compatibility by logging into www.virgin.com/mobile.

If youre being ripped off by the likes of BTCellnet and Vodafone its time to try Virgin Mobile said spokesman Steven Day.

Virgins SIM works in most modern phones and gets access to the best-value calls in Britain claimed Day.

Genie says that more than 4000 new users are registering each day.

Genie was launched by BTCellnet a year ago and claimed to be the first service in the world to send information from the internet directly to a mobile phone.

Genies WAP portal now offers access to more than 40 WAP services including Visa BBC and e-bookers.

Orange scored 97.7 per cent compared with BTCellnet at 96.5 per cent Vodafone at 96.3 per cent and One 2 One at 96.6 per cent.

The survey covered a set of routes in the UK between October and March. It was based on 30000 test calls on each network covering all motorways 70 urban conurbations and a selection of A roads.

But Oftel warns that the survey results should not be seen as recommended best buys or be relied upon for purchase decisions.

Consumers own experience may differ from the reported level of service depending on factors such as the handset and equipment being used geographic location and time of day says Oftel.

Last year Orange annoyed its rivals by using Oftel stats in its advertising without Oftels disclaimer.

The full results and details of the survey can be found on OFTELs website at www.oftel.gov.uk/feedback/mobile0500.htm.

The flotation was planned for this month.

It is frustrating to defer. But we intend to continue to deliver strong organic growth and look forward to coming to market once more stable conditions emerge said

Project Telecom chief executive Tim Radford.

Steve Pardoe found that his credit card had been fraudulently used to top up a BTCellnet phone. He was so furious with the dismissive response from BTCellnets customer services he decided to set up his own web site at www.pardoes.com/cellnet/index.html to log similar complaints.

BTCellnet allow anyone to use anyone elses debit or credit card numbers to top up a pre-pay phone with complete impunity. BTCellnet simply take the money from the victims bank or credit card account without any authorisation and with absolutely no identity check says Pardoe.

As a result BTCellnet have been stealing money from thousands of peoples bank and credit card accounts then cynically fobbing off their victims and refusing point blank to compensate them for their loss and inconvenience.

They also refuse to cooperate with victims or the Police in tracing the fraudulent phone user leaving people exposed to repeated theft. BTCellnet prefer instead to protect their dishonest customer.

BTCellnet have been aware of this problem for more than a year now and could have stopped this scam at any time. But they alone among cellular providers persist in running an automated credit-card top-up system which they know to be insecure. Theyve now stolen money four times from me and my company prompting this internet campaign to assist other victims and draw media attention to BTCellnets disgraceful behaviour.

Our web site has had 10s of thousands of visitors from all over the world including government bodies communications companies and the media.

Pardoe recently appeared on BBCs Hard Cash programme about the BTCellnet pre-pay problem.