Cellphone: a super device
Dec 12, 2005
MONTHS ago, a local mobile phone service-provider shifted Uganda from second generation mobile phone technology to at least halfway the step to third generation (3G) mobile phone technology.
By Davis Weddi
MONTHS ago, a local mobile phone service-provider shifted Uganda from second generation mobile phone technology to at least halfway the step to third generation (3G) mobile phone technology.
With the standard of 2.5G, one can send and receive picture messages. However, we are still a step away from 3G, which is far much better.
The 3G phones can display live UTV or WBS or DSTV. With 3G, it is possible for one to do household work while away from home. For example sending commands to an oven at home while you are in office.
With over 1.2 million mobile phones in Uganda, New Media businesses should start planning. The Uganda regulatory atmosphere is increasingly favourable, the innovation and growth in mobile phones is astonishing.
A mobile phone is now a super device. It is more than just a communications device. It replaces watches and alarm clocks. It stands in for the calculator and offers free games, making it really good for “passing-timeâ€.
Ugandans now need to exploit possibilities of investing in the variety of services now offered by mobile phones.
Those who will benefit from the new several uses of mobile phones must be ready to spend dearly. They will spend heavily on the type of handset and on the range of mobile phone services available.
Older types of mobile phones can no longer provide the new range of mobile phone services. Consider the Nokia 5110, it mostly served the limited purpose of talking and SMS. Consider yourself outdated if you still use it.
Latest technology publications claim some top-end mobile phones available have the processing power and storage available in desktop computers just four to five years ago.
On uses, a Ugandan who recently returned from Durban, South Africa, says mobile phones there will map your location, should you arrive at an unfamiliar village.
The cellphone’s social interface is its address book and contacts list. Without this phone, some will find it hard linking with others. Owners use its calendar function. Having special ring tones, themes and wallpapers makes mobile phones tick to the eye and ears.
Now with the 2.5G, below are the things you can do with the mobile phone as long as it contains the enabling platform. If your phone cannot perform any of these functions by mid 2006, consider yourself still digitally malnourished.
Taking and sending photos from cellphone camera.
Multimedia messaging: Sharing everything recorded with others.
Audio and video recorder: using the mobile phone to record conversations and screen events, some of the newest mobile phones can record one hour of video footage. Possibility of receiving radio and television signals.
Internet client: some mobile phones can browse websites using a WAP or HTML browser though this may diminish some good-looking websites.
E-mail client: with ability to browse internet, some mobile phones can actually connect to any POP or IMAP server allowing e-mail exchange.
The cellphone should be able to view documents received.
Cellphones are nowadays renamed a teleputer for complimenting the computer: These devices can replace handheld computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs). Moreover, using a wireless network, it connects remotely to your PC.
Games: Mobiles phone games have become big business for game creators and users.
Music entertainment: Mobiles are today used to download music and to play MP3s. It is expected they will soon be able to stream live from the internet. Ugandans will see this reality when we finally enter or upgrade to 3G.
It is now possible to call the cellphone a digital wallet and mobile bank as they are today used for making payments. Mobile banking is here, soon Ugandans will ably make purchases like users of a credit or debit cards because there is already a billing relationship between the subscriber (phone owner) and the operator (service provider), which can ably be used to make payments to merchants.
Mobile phones came to change our lives. Ugandans now need to develop the content that better suits reception of services via mobiles. If handled well, these devices will ease government’s work in administering and providing services to the public.
The important issue to note here is for most of the new uses, mobile phone dealers will have to bring in the phones that support the technology that delivers those services.
Ends
MONTHS ago, a local mobile phone service-provider shifted Uganda from second generation mobile phone technology to at least halfway the step to third generation (3G) mobile phone technology.
With the standard of 2.5G, one can send and receive picture messages. However, we are still a step away from 3G, which is far much better.
The 3G phones can display live UTV or WBS or DSTV. With 3G, it is possible for one to do household work while away from home. For example sending commands to an oven at home while you are in office.
With over 1.2 million mobile phones in Uganda, New Media businesses should start planning. The Uganda regulatory atmosphere is increasingly favourable, the innovation and growth in mobile phones is astonishing.
A mobile phone is now a super device. It is more than just a communications device. It replaces watches and alarm clocks. It stands in for the calculator and offers free games, making it really good for “passing-timeâ€.
Ugandans now need to exploit possibilities of investing in the variety of services now offered by mobile phones.
Those who will benefit from the new several uses of mobile phones must be ready to spend dearly. They will spend heavily on the type of handset and on the range of mobile phone services available.
Older types of mobile phones can no longer provide the new range of mobile phone services. Consider the Nokia 5110, it mostly served the limited purpose of talking and SMS. Consider yourself outdated if you still use it.
Latest technology publications claim some top-end mobile phones available have the processing power and storage available in desktop computers just four to five years ago.
On uses, a Ugandan who recently returned from Durban, South Africa, says mobile phones there will map your location, should you arrive at an unfamiliar village.
The cellphone’s social interface is its address book and contacts list. Without this phone, some will find it hard linking with others. Owners use its calendar function. Having special ring tones, themes and wallpapers makes mobile phones tick to the eye and ears.
Now with the 2.5G, below are the things you can do with the mobile phone as long as it contains the enabling platform. If your phone cannot perform any of these functions by mid 2006, consider yourself still digitally malnourished.
Taking and sending photos from cellphone camera.
Multimedia messaging: Sharing everything recorded with others.
Audio and video recorder: using the mobile phone to record conversations and screen events, some of the newest mobile phones can record one hour of video footage. Possibility of receiving radio and television signals.
Internet client: some mobile phones can browse websites using a WAP or HTML browser though this may diminish some good-looking websites.
E-mail client: with ability to browse internet, some mobile phones can actually connect to any POP or IMAP server allowing e-mail exchange.
The cellphone should be able to view documents received.
Cellphones are nowadays renamed a teleputer for complimenting the computer: These devices can replace handheld computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs). Moreover, using a wireless network, it connects remotely to your PC.
Games: Mobiles phone games have become big business for game creators and users.
Music entertainment: Mobiles are today used to download music and to play MP3s. It is expected they will soon be able to stream live from the internet. Ugandans will see this reality when we finally enter or upgrade to 3G.
It is now possible to call the cellphone a digital wallet and mobile bank as they are today used for making payments. Mobile banking is here, soon Ugandans will ably make purchases like users of a credit or debit cards because there is already a billing relationship between the subscriber (phone owner) and the operator (service provider), which can ably be used to make payments to merchants.
Mobile phones came to change our lives. Ugandans now need to develop the content that better suits reception of services via mobiles. If handled well, these devices will ease government’s work in administering and providing services to the public.
The important issue to note here is for most of the new uses, mobile phone dealers will have to bring in the phones that support the technology that delivers those services.
Ends