l announced in August of 1998 that it was implementing wireless Internet technology services via the mobile phone. Omnitel will use software called UP.Link™, supplied by Unwired Planet™. This gives mobile phone users access to e-mail, interactive information services, Internet / Intranet applications offered on standard WEB services. The trial was to have taken place at the end of 1998. The demand for this service is expected to be very high. Italians pay less money to use their mobile phone, which charges a flat rate, verses the telephone, which charges on a per minute basis. No data was available regarding the growth rate for this technology. This industry is very fragmented and with technology increases more companies will enter in this market further fragmenting it. We don’t see new entrants as a threat.PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANTSPersonal Digital Assistants are available in Italy. The most popular had held devices are Palm Pilots and personal organizers. We were unable to obtain any growth rates in this industry. There are authorized dealers throughout Italy where you can purchase palm pilots. They can also purchase various personal organizers at local computer retail stores. At this time, Italians do not access the Internet via personal digital assistants. 3COM, maker of the palm pilot, recently announced Internet access through their device in the United States with worldwide rollout following. This industry is very fragmented because there are several companies who offer these devices. The threat of new entrants is very high because of rising technology. INTERNET ACCESS DEVICESTelecom Italia sells a product called PLAYWEB. This is a set top box this allows Internet access via the television. This is a threat because it's already an entrant in the market. Omnitel sells the mobile phone, which will offer software that allows you to access e-mail, interactive information services, internet/intran...
