The 3G tide has begun to turn

Liesbeth Evers talks to Nokia's Ian McCaig about how businesses can exploit 3G's opportunities.

Companies that want their slice of 3G's heralded business applications need to keep a beady eye on network operators and start preparing, according to manufacturer Nokia.

3G is slowly but surely creeping up as an inevitable reality for the mobile world. The first UK networks are expected as soon as the next quarter, and by the end of next year 3G will be pervasive enough to trigger the release of a variety of business applications.

In an interview with Network News, Nokia's vice-president for customer operations, Ian McCaig, explained how enterprises could take advantage of 3G opportunities.

He argued that despite much speculation on delivery time, the rollout of 3G networks was progressing as it should, and manufacturers were close behind with 3G devices and applications. As a result, he said, the mood on 3G was turning.

"The UK especially was very cynical about 3G but is now starting to believe in the technology," he said. "Instead of thinking, 'Will this work?', companies have started thinking, 'What business applications will work?'"

McCaig said initial devices would focus on entertainment or PDA-like synchronisation with desktop applications, with the latter ushering in business applications.

He sees big opportunities for CRM applications, especially in combination with portal technology. "Convergence is a tired technology term. But when you talk about core CRM network data through a portal - that is when things will really come together."

Another important development will come from a technological crossover between public mobile networks and WLans. Data-cords are already available that let devices switch between GSM, GPRS and WLan. Future 3G devices are likely to be able to switch between public and private networks, choosing whichever is cheapest or most easily available.

Few doubt the business opportunities 3G can bring, but critics argue that early network coverage will be patchy. Organisations with remote branches or a mobile workforce travelling all over the country are unlikely to be keen on rolling out an application infrastructure that will only reach half their workforce.

McCaig said the success of business applications would depend on real 3G availability, defined by a combination of coverage and supported application complexity.

"Do not expect 100 per cent availability in February 2003," he said.

"If you have a particular application or service to deliver to users, think about the coverage difference between GSM, GPRS and 3G. Keep in close contact with your network operator and map availability. Then adapt your own infrastructure rollout to what is available when."

KEY POINTS

• 3G will offer business applications such as CRM and WLan links
• Network availability defined by coverage and supported complexity
• Plan your application infrastructure rollout to map actual 3G availability