Qualcomm and Teleepoch Enter Into a 3G CDMA Subscriber Unit License Agreement, October 6, 2007

MTN chooses Cambridge Broadband Networks for multi-service wireless network in Rwanda, October 6, 2007

Brazilian government to publish 3G bidding rules soon, October 6, 2007

KTF 3G service suffers from technical problems, October 6, 2007

Argentina’s Personal lunches 3G service in Rosario, October 6, 2007

Russia has it's first 3G network, October 6, 2007

AT&T could drop Alcatel-Lucent as 3G mobile network supplier, October 6, 2007

Enea Extends License Agreement with ZTE for 3G Handsets, October 2, 2007

LG to unveil premium handsets in Brazil, October 2, 2007

KTF 3G subscribers doubled in less than 3 months, October 2, 2007

3G policy in India will be non-uniform, October 2, 2007

- previous news

3G activities become focus of Australian wireless market

February 15, 2005

IDC's latest study titled, "Who's Who in the Zoo: Competitive Analysis of Australian Wireless Service Providers, 2005" reveals that mobile penetration is surpassing natural saturation in Australia, and subscriber-based growth will be slow, leading carriers to pin their growth strategy increasingly on creative non-voice services.

This report was written as an IDC annual guide to Australia's A$8-billion-a-year wireless industry. The report found that Australian wireless market dynamics this year will be dominated by 3G and its related developments. Simple and cheap plans, niche marketing and branding, and 3G-enabled innovations will be the centre of competition in the consumer market, whereas the continued push towards enterprise mobility will be the prime driver in the business market.

"Telstra's full privatisation is certain to lead to an overall brand revamp in 2005, while Optus continues to toy with various wireless technologies to complement its cellular offerings. Vodafone remains the market's most fragile - yet most aggressive - player, whereas Hutchison's primary challenge is to boost non-voice revenue," said Warren Chaisatien, IDC Australia's Wireless & Mobility Research Manager.

Other key findings from IDC's study include:

* Sub-branding, niche and affinity marketing are no longer options but strategic necessities, which represent a huge boon to mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) and prospective mobile virtual network enablers (MVNEs).

* Despite some teething problems including limited network reach and in-door coverage, wireless broadband has become a force to be reckoned with in the market, competing with both cellular and wireline carriers. Its rapid rise has also stunted the growth of wireless LAN hotspots in the past year.

* As technologies converge, wireless service providers in the various segments are forced to either compete with or embrace one another. Competition and alliances among wireless players are set to spill over to the wireline space when full IP, fixed-to-mobile convergence takes hold in the longer run.

IDC's study reviews the regulatory landscape affecting Australian wireless operators and offers updated profiles of cellular, wireless broadband and wireless LAN hotspot operators. It also provides a future outlook for the industry as well as essential guidance for 2005.