EU Broadband
In the 25 EU Member States broadband has grown rapidly to nearly 53 million lines, a rise of almost 20 million during 2005. There is a significant increase in broadband take-up in 2005, with average EU penetration (lines per 100 population) reaching 11.5% in Oct. 2005 compared to 7.4% in Oct. 2004 (with average EU 15 penetration up from 8.4% to 13% over the same period). This equates to over 52,000 new broadband lines per day across the EU.
EU Mobile
The average EU penetration of mobile services reached 92.8% in Oct. 2005, with faster growth being achieved in the EU 10 (the last 10 members who joined the EU). Three of the new Member States have exceeded the national 100% mark for the first time. The number of service providers has grown from 166 in 2004 to 214 last year, with 79 2G-network operators now servicing the EU. Penetration tends to be highest in the countries with a greater number of service providers.
EU 3G
By Sep. 2005, it was estimated that there were around 15 million subscribers to 3G services in the EU, which is a considerable increase over the previous year.
Smartphone
Microsoft has launched a Windows Mobile smartphone called the Trilogy that is designed to display mobile TV at the 3GSM. The smartphone is capable of connecting over a Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) network and handling IP packets. It will be used by BT and Virgin Mobile in the UK for the BT Movio service. Movio will allow mobile users to watch TV on their mobile handsets. A smartphone provides advanced capabilities beyond a typical mobile phone. Smartphones run complete operating system software that provides a standardized interface and platform for application developers. By the strict definition, smartphones are distinct from PDA-based devices (PDA: Personal Digital Assistant) that run operating systems such as Palm OS or Windows Mobile for Pocket PCs. While PDA-based devices usually have a touch-screen for pen input, smartphones usually have a standard phone keypad for input. Smartphones usually have larger displays and more powerful processors.
World Wide Mobiles
According to Data Monitor, the worldwide mobile and
iTV lottery services will reach $7.7 billion in 2007.
Zone4Play
One of the companies that operates on the edge of new technical mobile software is Zone4Play Inc.. This UK/Israel based company delivers cross-platform systems that are built for mass participation gaming over mobile, TV and the web. The company's products include multi player poker, blackjack, casino, lottery and fixed odds games as well as a Management Application Suite (MAS) consisting of a cross-platform management tool enabling a subscriber to seamlessly play games on different platforms while maintaining the same virtual account balance and user information regardless of service provider. BT agilemedia, the UK's leading provider of participation media services, announced it has teamed up with Zone4Play Inc., an established developer of interactive software and technology for the betting and gaming industry, to offer a range of Participation TV games for broadcasters, production companies and service providers. Known as
"participation TV gaming," TV channels will be provided with live or
pre-recorded programming that allows viewers three simple options - 'play for a prize', 'play for fun' or 'place real bets'. Games range from Sudoku to traditional casino games such as roulette, blackjack or poker. The games can be fully incorporated into original formats or simply played out under a TV channel brand. Viewers at home simply play the games by using the keypad on their home phone or mobile phone. Zone4Play, will provide the gaming engine, the games and integration to television production systems. BT agilemedia will provide the interactive voice response (IVR) and SMS infrastructure as well as the premium rate call and SMS revenue stream.
Comparison Betting
Online content and gaming business ukbetting (UKB), has announced that Oddschecker, the UK¹s largest odds comparison site, has started Oddschecker Mobile. This service will enable customers to select any betting event using their WAP-enabled (Wire Application Protocol) mobile phone and automatically be offered the best price for the chosen event from the bookmakers contributing to the Oddschecker site. After players have registered with Oddschecker Mobile either through the Internet or via their mobile device, the service has the capability of opening accounts and placing bets with the bookmaker that offers the best price for a given bet. Payment is made via credit or debit card. Oddschecker is an odds comparison site that covers all leading odds for every major bookmaker in the UK and highlights the best odds for every sporting event, allowing customers to select the best available. Oddschecker, and its new mobile service, is being advertised throughout ukbetting's sports content network which reaches over 8.5 million users per month.