InfoAnda - Mobile software, data fees in spotlight at CTIA

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

PAKISTAN | 19 October 2010
Indonesia says Bali executions became a spectacle | International | | 11 November 2008
Jetliner plot suspect believed killed in Pakistan | 22 November 2008

Israeli scientist wins Nobel Prize in chemistry | 5 October 2011

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Mobile software, data fees in spotlight at CTIA

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Search Search: Mobile software, data fees in spotlight at CTIA Reuters - Saturday, March 28 By Sinead Carew ADVERTISEMENT NEW YORK - Move over fancy, pricey cellphones. The buzz ahead of the annual CTIA wireless show next week is all about cheaper data plans and mobile software stores, where a few dollars can get you a game or other cool application to impress your friends. With consumers more cautious than before about shelling out for new smartphones, vendors are hoping applications will help sales. As a result they are turning to online stores to compete with Apple Inc, which sells downloadable software, ranging from the practical to the ridiculous. Carriers in turn hope the new applications will increase interest in data services and boost revenue -- though with the economy in tatters, a big debate is brewing over whether phone operators need to lower the price of data plans. "Last year was really focused on devices like Android and the iPhone. Now people are realizing the power of applications for these devices," said Gartner analyst Michael King. "I think this year it's going to be all applications." The U.S. wireless showcase will take place in Las Vegas from April 1-3, with attendance expected to be down 15 percent from last year's 40,000 people due to the weak economy. Speakers include executives from Verizon Communications Inc, Research in Motion, Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile USA, Microsoft Corp and Clearwire Corp. While there will be many new phones on display, applications have stolen the limelight in the battle to capture consumers' imaginations and their cash. BlackBerry maker Research in Motion is expected to officially launch its mobile application store at the show and Microsoft is expected to talk up its applications marketplace due out later this year. Sprint Nextel Corp will also demonstrate Palm Inc's widely anticipated Pre phone, which is designed to stand out by making it easier for consumers to use multiple applications simultaneously. But some analysts are doubtful if these companies can attract the variety of software developers that were drawn to the hugely popular iPhone and Apple store. "I think they're struggling to get the massive volume of developers Apple has," King said, referring specifically to RIM which is better known among corporate clients than consumers. King expects a lot of attention at CTIA to go to new applications that put mobile users in a context, such as their location or if they are online and available. DATA FEE DILEMMA While Apple's App Store has proven popular, with over 800 million applications having been downloaded so far, it remains to be seen how many consumers can afford today's monthly data fees on top of voice rates. Some analysts see data growth slowing unless carriers offer cheaper service plans. "Sixty dollars a month is a lot to ask in a recession," said NPD analyst Ross Rubin, referring to typical U.S. data service charges for wireless connections to portable computers. These are separate to phone data plans. Monthly data plans for smartphones are cheaper -- usually about $30 for subscribers with contracts of two years -- but are still too high for many consumers, analysts say. "There are only so many consumers willing to sign on upfront for data on top of voice plans with today's rates," said Current Analysis analyst Avi Greengart. "There are a lot of people who want smartphones who are held back by the cost of the data plan." But Gartner's King said that carriers are not ready to budge on retail prices partly because many corporate clients are already renegotiating cellular contracts to cut costs. One big concern is that big discounts could lure so many new users to a network that performance becomes visibly weaker for carriers, which want to cut capital spending this year. "The mobile Internet has finally taken off. Now we need to cope with the traffic," said IDC analyst Scott Ellison. "I think carriers are going to be very leery of encouraging usage they can't support." As a result, discussions about technology alternatives will abound at the show. One option involves installing Wi-Fi on more phones. The short-range wireless technology offers fast Web access but is independent of carrier networks. Another option is an emerging technology known as femtocells, which boost network coverage indoors and alleviate the strain on carrier networks. But prices for femtocells may take time to reach the $99 or less level needed for mass adoption, Ellison said, compared to more than $200 now. In the meantime, carriers could experiment with cheaper fees that limit a user's Internet access. As the price of phones and wirelessly connected computers fall, so must service fees, analysts said. "If they're going to go with lower-priced devices, they'll have to have lower-priced services," said Gartner analyst Ken Dulaney. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article Average (0 votes) Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: Technology Americans spend eight hours a day on screensAFP - Saturday, March 28 Google to expand TV ad service to online videoAFP - Saturday, March 28 New technologies coming to Web start-ups' rescueReuters - Saturday, March 28 Grim US newspaper ad revenue figures releasedAFP - Saturday, March 28 Google to cut 200 sales, marketing jobsReuters - Saturday, March 28 Most Popular – Technology Viewed Hot tea linked with throat cancer Pope 'publicly distorted' condom science: Lancet Red meat raises death risk, white meat lowers it Scientists see asteroid hurtle to Earth Goods reappear in Zimbabwe shops View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Saturday, 28 March 2009
Italy's Josef Fritzl arrested for incest and abuse | International |
Russia to boost Arctic troops to defend resources | International |
Pink Panther jewel thief suspect held in Cyprus | International |
Mobile software, data fees in spotlight at CTIA | Technology |
New technologies coming to Web start-ups' rescue | Technology |
No more oil rigs for ousted American Idol Sarver | Entertainment |
Geoffrey Rush debuts on Broadway to rave reviews | Entertainment |
No. 1 lady detective series? | Entertainment |
Welcome to Hawaii Pacific Teleport
Singapore News
Bolshoi Theatre may not reopen till 2013: report
Singapore News
Singapore News
Iraq to move Iranian opposition group: official
Japan deploys defense for North Korea rocket launch | International |
Iran, Venezuela revise ties ahead of Chavez visit
China turns to Buddhism to calm Tibet, Taiwan tensions | International |
Obama widens war against al-Qaida in Afghanistan
Brown calls for global unity on crisis, IMF reform
Guatemala finds Mexico drug smuggler training camp | International |
Suicide bomb in Pakistan mosque kills about 50
Russia, Azerbaijan in talks on gas deal: Gazprom
Pakistan's ISI still linked to militants, U.S. says | International |
Fallujah is test case for post-US Iraq
US consumer spending up for second month
Malaysia readies for new PM promising reform | International |
US judge orders Iran to pay $25M for Hamas killing
Fresh fighting in south Philippines kills 27 people | International |
Afghanistan backs US plan as fighting rages
Turkey's local polls set to give Erdogan reform boost | International |
Major dates in Fallujah's war
Obama makes Pakistan center of Al-Qaeda war
Mobile software, data fees in spotlight at CTIA | Technology |
NEC to quit PC market abroad with Asia-Pacific exit | Technology |
Obama puts Pakistan at center of Al-Qaeda war
Americans spend eight hours a day on screens
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 599
Google to expand TV ad service to online video
Official: Intel predicts rising Afghan violence
New technologies coming to Web start-ups' rescue
Grim US newspaper ad revenue figures released
UN chief hails Obama's new Afghan strategy
Google to cut 200 sales, marketing jobs
Outcry after new Ground Zero tower loses 'Freedom'
Turkish PM raises objections to Rasmussen's NATO bid
Russia to end Chechnya anti-terror mission
Mexico wants more U.S. funding for drugs battle
Republican in court over N. Ireland killings
'Italy's Fritzl' sequestered daughter for 25 years
British PM eyes royal reform: reports
Designer sues Courtney Love over Web rants | Entertainment |
British Airways ends direct flights to Bangladesh
Rapper T.I. sentenced to one year on gun charges | Entertainment |
Afghan, Pakistani leaders praise new US strategy
Devoted music fans pay top dollar for deluxe sets | Entertainment |
Japan OKs deployment of missile defense system
Geoffrey Rush debuts on Broadway to rave reviews
The Dead aim to foil scalpers with charity auction | Entertainment |
Morkel, Boucher trump Hussey and Australia
Radioactive material found in China: state media
French visits to patch up ties in China
Former Thai PM Thaksin points finger of blame
Japan says ready to shoot down NKorea missile
India's Spice puts bid for fraud-hit Satyam on hold: report
Designer sues Courtney Love over Web rants
Thai ex-PM adds to calls for gov't to resign
Vietnam Q1 growth lowest in decade: official
The Dead aim to foil scalpers with charity auction
Afghan president welcomes new US strategy
China Construction Bank profits up 34 percent
Vanessa Redgrave reschedules Cathedral appearance
China ready to contribute more to IMF fund
Rapper T.I. sentenced to one year on gun charges
Pakistan targets 350 bln rupees in T-bill auctions
Smithsonian unveils 6 design models for new museum
Australia sets conditions on China mine purchase
CNBC's Dylan Ratigan leaving `Fast Money'
No more oil rigs for ousted "American Idol" Sarver
Madonna applies to adopt girl in Malawi
Courtney Love's apparent online rants now in court
Longtime NBC newsman Irving R. Levine dies at 86
Mobile software, data fees in spotlight at CTIA
Markets soar on stimulus plan despite WTO warning
Singapore News
Singapore News
Singapore News
Pakistan spies under heat in new US strategy
Kabul hails US plan as "better than expected"
Militants destroy 12 NATO trucks in Pakistan
Venezuela, Iran FMs meet ahead of Chavez visit
Madonna due in Malawi to adopt second child
Soros sees risk of Britain needing IMF bailout
US space shuttle heads back home
Australia kicks off Earth Hour climate campaign
Australia turns the lights out for Earth Hour
Medvedev, Obama to agree arms declaration: Kremlin
Pacific switches off lights for Earth Hour
American Language Center to reopen in Syria
Obama team takes its climate change agenda abroad
New US strategy better than expected: Karzai
US takes new climate change agenda to global talks
NEC to quit PC market abroad with Asia-Pacific exit
California politician wants to censor online maps
Thousands in London for pre-G20 march
EU ministers seek to reassure Balkan nations
Pakistan's Zardari backs Sharif govt return in Punjab
Pakistan president moves to end political crisis
Afghan president backs new US strategy for war
China marks "emancipation" of Tibet with new holiday
Australia kicks off Earth Hour climate campaign
'Thousands' of Chinese workers heading to Vietnam
Taiwan's ruling party wins key by-election
S.Korea vice fin min sees "good signs" in econ -reports
Nehru relative arrested in India
Pakistani cenbank buys 9 bln rupees of T-bills
Afghan leader: US strategy better than expected
Philippine troops near militants' base withdraw
Heigl says she'll stay if 'Grey's' will have her
Report: North Korea launch would go before UN
Guests for the Sunday TV news shows
CNN likely third-place network in prime-time
Burst Indonesia damn kills 77, 100 still missing
Death toll from Indonesia dam burst rises to 77
Dam bursts near Indonesian capital, killing 77
Dam bursts near Indonesian capital, killing 69
Death toll in Indonesia's dam burst climbs to 69
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01