IBM: 3G Operators, Unite!

LONDON -- Three quarters of European corporates will provide wireless applications to their employees in the next year - but no single wireless technology stands out as a clear favourite, a major new study reveals today. Looking forward, companies right across Europe are considering all technology options - from smartphones and PDAs to laptops in the device arena, from GSM, GPRS and UMTS to Public Wireless LAN for wide area network access. Some 60 per cent of companies questioned anticipated that 3G will impact on the way they do business by the end of 2003. Challenges facing IT directors today are far less technology-led and more focused on making employees more productive or effective, according to the independent research commissioned by IBM. “This research highlights what we have seen for the past two years at IBM - companies have really switched on to the ROI and productivity potential of wireless e-business,” said John Kirby, Vice President, Global, Wireless e-Business Services, IBM. “In this climate, strategic partnerships will prove crucial in delivering the right wireless solution for overall business success. There is a huge opportunity for IT services companies to play a defining role in moving the industry forward.” The study finds that wireless data has a growing profile in Europe, with 13 per cent of mainstream businesses (excluding telcos) already rolling out their wireless strategies. A further 26 per cent are actively planning and most of the remainder have wireless on their corporate radar. Around three quarters of organisations say they will be providing wireless applications - with the initial emphasis on email - to their employees in a year’s time. B2B and B2C plans are currently running six to 12 months behind. Further key findings of the report include:

IBM Corp.