Home > Mobile & Telecoms Stats > European Mobile and Telecoms Stats Aug 22 2003   European operator MmO2 reported strong customer and data growth across its operations at the end of June. The mobile carrier added 504,000 customers, a 2.8-percent increase over the previous quarter, in saturated markets and boosted average revenue per user in the United Kingdom and Germany.   “Clearly there are challenges ahead,” warned Peter Erskine, chief executive of MmO2. “As well as aiming to maintain our momentum in the current competitive environment, we must seek to mitigate the financial impact of the imminent termination rate cut in the United Kingdom.” However, the operator said it is on track to meet its full-year targets. In the United Kingdom, MmO2 counted 12.3 million customers at the end of June, an increase of 10.2 percent compared with the same quarter last year. ARPU increased 2.8 percent over the previous quarter and 8.5 percent compared with the same period last year. In Germany, the operator added 225,000 customers in the quarter for a total 5.04 million. ARPU increased from $386 in the previous quarter to $395 in the quarter ended June 30. In Ireland, the operator’s customer base grew slightly to 1.272 million, and ARPU was in line with the previous quarter. The number of short message service messages sent in the quarter was 2.42 billion, 2.8 percent higher than the previous quarter. Data as a proportion of service revenue in the quarter fell to 18.1 percent from 19.6 percent in the previous quarter, due to stronger voice revenue growth, the operator said. Search For More Info Web www.cellular.co.za

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MyOrigo

Finnish company MyOrigo has launched a new smartphone with a novel screen that rotates with the movement of the handset.

The software, powered with intent, the multimedia software platform from Tao Group, makes use of unique motion control and ‘touch & feel’ technologies. Suitable for both business and consumer use the device incorporates the latest mobile phone functionality, including multi-network support (Triband, GSM, GPRS), texting (SMS, MMS, full QWERTY keyboard), Web browsing, contacts book, scheduling & alerts, email, document reader, VGA camera and an MP3 player.

Motion Control - Dominated by a 176 x 320 full colour display, the screen adjusts as the user moves their hand to allow for tilting, scrolling and zooming. Turning the device through ninety degrees allows the user to choose portrait or landscape views depending on what suits the content better. Motion control is used by all applications. Mirroring – viewing web pages in full is easy on the mydevice. Imagine yourself looking at your own face in a pocket mirror. To see you left eye you tilt the mirror to the left, to see your mouth you would tilt the mirror down. The principle is the same for web browsing. Imagine that a virtual web page is projected in front of your face to see each corner simply tip the device.

“The network operators and branded handset manufacturers that have already seen the device were blown away by its ‘wow’ factors. MyOrigo already has a strong relationship with the Spanish operator Telefónica and we are expecting to make some big announcements in other European territories in the coming months.”

Commented Johan Granholm, VP Sales & Marketing at MyOrigo.Tao’s intent multimedia platform gives MyOrigo access to an unrivalled breadth of multimedia and application execution features, such as audio, video, media plug-ins and Java™ technology, enabling user interface and application suite customisation.

Francis Charig, Chairman and Chief Executive of Tao Group commented: "Platform technologies that have evolved from the convergence between phone and PC have serious limitations – particularly when delivering the quality of multimedia content that consumers demand. Through the revolutionary advances from MyOrigo and Tao, network operators can deliver the calibre of services required to attract the size of user base needed to generate revenue and grow the operator’s brand.”

Volume high street sales will commence in the UK in the autumn with other territories to follow.