 |
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS IS a field that has been growing since the mid-80's when the first Cellular phones were introduced. Seeing a "Cell" field on a business card is nearly universal, and restaurants are now advocating a "no Cell Phone" areas in seating customers, similar to "Smoking or non-smoking?". In this increasing high-tech world, consumers are pushed with tiny phones, promising road-side assistance no matter where they are, and allowing people to contact you, even when you aren't at the office. As if the basics weren't enough, the companies are selling internet services over pagers and cell phones, and more is sure to come. October 10-17 marked the Telecom'99 exposition in Geneva, Switzerland. Many of the major players were there, including major wireless companies like Motorola, Ericsson and Nokia. All of them were pushing their current products as well as technologies we can expect to see in the coming years. Also there were numerous computer manufacturers, including Apple Computer which has transitioned most of its computer line to include wireless networking, dubbed "AirPort". It's becoming very obvious that a world without wires is soon to replace the "wired" world that we have become so accustomed to. Today we speak with Heather Wallace, noted futurist when it comes to the "Wireless" scene that is sweeping the technological landscape. She joins us via Satellite from Geneva where she has been attending the Telecom '99 expo. Facer: Thank you for joining us today Heather. I'm sure it's been a hectic week in Geneva for you. First off, what did you see there that was being demonstrated for use by consumers next year? Heather: There were many demonstrations of the driving forces for change. Increasing mobility, pervasive computing and the growth of the internet. In the future we can expect telecommunications to become digital, mobile and personal. F: Interesting. What caught your eye most? H: Well, there were so many things to see throughout the week. The exhibit covered all aspects of telecommunications. There were about 50 countries displaying the best they have to offer in products and services. The products that attracted my attention the most, from a user's point of view, are the latest models of multimedia and multi-functional terminals, for wireline as well as wireless use. F: Where do you see wireless voice communications going in the upcoming years, say 2001-2003? H: Right now I can see that Mobile communication systems, designed to meet the personal communication needs for business and private users - anytime, anywhere - are definitely at the forefront of new developments. This is also applying to Global Mobile Personal Communications by satellite systems. There is a new international mobile communication standard being developed under the sponsorship of the ITU called IMT-2000 for the year 2000. This standard provides a platform for wireless access to the global telecommunication infrastructure. It places a new kind of terminal device: a personal multimedia communicator that combines the features of a telephone, TV set and computer, in the hands of the user. F: Today we're promised that we can surf the web from a Cell Phone, receive e-mail on a Pager. Obviously data communication is getting quite important to the high-tech consumer. What do you see happening in wireless data communication in 2002? H: I would estimate that by the year 2002, the potential of the wireless data industry will range as high as $38 billion in revenues. There are a large number of products in this world that are just screaming to go wireless. Such as a mobile wireless IP. I believe by the year 2002, between 40- 60 million people will be surfing the wireless web by cellular phone F: Computers are becoming able to network with each other without wires. Apple has included the option of including "AirPort" technology into most of their computer line and most other manufacturers are bound to follow. Do you see anything happening in this field that will make computers shed their wired connection to the desk completely? H: Isn't the "AirPort" just intriguing. It brings the internet to the user anywhere at any time. The amazing thing is that it doesn't require cables or extra phone lines. What next? I mean it's extravagant. Next, I believe that in the future, the entire computer system will become wireless. You look confused? Here, for example, the user will be able to carry a small keyboard that contains its own memory card and it folds up into their briefcase, or even in their purse. There will probably be monitors everywhere you go. The user then places the wireless keyboard in front of the monitor and with out any wires, the two connect. I also believe that the future for videotelephony is uprising not too far behind everything else. I think that the future holds a place in digital telephony for Mobile Videophones. using the knowledge they have now with radio frequencies and the higher data rates of (64kbit/s) and above, I seriously see this happening in the future. F: And lastly, would you like to put your predictions on when video phones will go wireless? H: Well, in the present it doesn't seem to be the main focus in technology with such things as the "AirPort" rising. However, I wouldn't say that it would take any longer than the end of the year 2004 for Mobile wireless videophones will penetrate through the surface of the driving forces of change. F: Heather Wallace, it's been enjoyable. Thank you for your time and visions on the world of wireless communications. Enjoy your flight back from Geneva.
http://www.apple.com/wireless |
||
FACER E-Zine
Foundations, Projections and Issues
