US 'Wireless Gap' May Not Exist

date: 13th December 2000, source: NewsBytes

Reports that the United States lags behind Europe and Japan in mobile phone usage and penetration, allocation of 3G spectrum and availability, and usage of wireless Internet services may be exaggerating the so-called "wireless gap."

That is the conclusion of a study by Alexander Resources, a Dallas-based consultancy that specializes in wireless communications.

Alexander says the problem lies in the proverbial comparison of apples to oranges, that a series of "unique social, regulatory, political, economic and competitive issues and factors will continue to impact usage, penetration and deployment of new wireless networks and services in the US."

Wireless networks and services take on different forms in the US as opposed to other locations. Factors affecting US wireless cited by Alexander include the highly competitive US business market, more relaxed government regulations, investment by carriers in 1G and 2G networks, the existence of several competitive standards, high penetration of Internet service in homes and businesses, and the availability of wired telephone services. The combination of these and other factors make for a "unique" wireless environment in the US, the company said.

The report added that 3G and the wireless Internet are both expected to succeed in the US on the same level that they have in Europe and Japan, but they will follow a different timetable and take other forms.

top