Speaking at the 3G World Congress Summit in Hong Kong (10-14 June), UMTS Forum Chairman Dr Bernd Eylert emphasised that the global migration to UMTS/3G networks and services will be a long-term venture, with a mass market not expected to appear before 2005-2006 at the earliest.

"This is a long-distance marathon, not a short sprint", stated Eylert, speaking in a round table panel session with operators from mobile networks in the Asia Pacific region. Eylert also emphasised the importance of new applications and services in driving end-user demand for third generation networks. "Customers neither know nor care about technology", commented Eylert. "All they want is services that make a real difference to their lives.

Eylert quoted the example of a joint initiative by auto manufacturer DaimlerChrysler and T-Online to provide "Internet-on-Wheels" vehicle-related information and entertainment services. "Enabled by UMTS, we will see an explosion of services far beyond the limits of our traditional view of mobile telephony", predicted Eylert.