3. Operators form their own apps community
In the Apps market, the launch by 24 mobile operators of a 'Wholesale Applications Community' should allow for mobile internet and applications to be downloaded without the potential headache of conflicting technologies.
An impressive list of operators has signed up to the Wholesale Applications Community (WAC), including AT&T, China Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, Telefonica, Sprint and Verizon Wireless. These operators will work with the GSM Association, LG Electronics, Samsung and Sony Ericsson to allow developers to build and deliver apps according to a common standard developed with the GSM Association.
The Juniper View
Arguably, buy‐in from handset vendors that already have their own successful app stores is crucial for this to become a worldwide success. The most significant handset manufacturers in the App space have yet to come on board, namely Apple and RIM. And the fact that Apple is not at Mobile World Congress could suggest that it may not be interested in app initiatives from others.
4. GSMA embarks on LTE interconnection standards
Increasing capacity requirements born of the proliferation of Apps and improved access to the mobile internet has given a head of wind to Long‐Term Evolution (LTE). LTE now boasts several live roll‐outs and as many as 75 build‐out commitments.
Some 40 mobile industry organizations have now backed industry association GSMA's initiative to standardized the delivery of voice and messaging services for LTE.