4G terminals are predicted to be more of a "virtual reality device" that will recognize the owner’s geographical position, needs and habits. Therefore, it will be quite different from the terminal device that we are familiar with today, where one has to submit URLs, scroll, click and command. 4G will be less dependent on menus and scrolling. The thing we do hope gets addressed is the cost, considering the incredibly high 3G costs.

Major 4G applications would be based on visualized virtual navigation that allows a remote database containing graphical representation of streets, buildings and physical characteristics of a large metro to be accessed by a moving vehicle, which can then visualize the environment ahead virtually. One would be able to see the internal layout of a building during an emergency rescue. "Telegeoprocessing"—through a combination of Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and high-capacity wireless mobile systems—dependent on location information of several users, can have many applications including crisis management.

The other life-saving application would be "telemedicine" where a paramedic assisting the victim of a traffic accident in remote locations can access medical records and have video-conference assistance from
a surgeon for an emergency intervention.

Wireless Data Users: Growth Continues

Ericsson predicts that the number of mobile subscribers globally will jump from 600 million to 1 billion in the next two years, and that in 2003, mobile Internet users will overtake fixed-line users for the first time. The number of subscribers to wireless data services will grow rapidly from 170 million worldwide in 2000 to more than 1.3 billion in 2004, according to a study by Cahners In-Stat Group.

Messaging will be the primary driver of wireless data adoption, according to the Cahners study. The number of wireless messages sent per month will rise rapidly from 3 billion in December 1999 to 244 billion by December 2004. Other features such as mobile commerce applications, entertainment, real-time financial information, travel and location-based information services—getting directions to the closest restaurant or bank—will also be popular, but will take longer to reach the market, according to the study. It adds, "to ensure that wireless data catches on, carriers must deploy new infrastructure and install new equipment to enable location-based services, high-level security, micro-payment options and detailed billing". Other killer applications have been mentioned as "location-based services" and "streaming video and audio services".

Development Efforts

At ITU Telecom Asia 2000 (December 4-9, Hong Kong), 4G was expect-edly one of the hot topics. Ericsson confirmed that it is expected to contribute $12 million to the California Institute of Telecommunications Information and Technology to conduct studies of wireless communication in the fourth generation of wireless technology.

In India, Karnataka has shown initiative by setting up a 4G-resource centre at Bangalore. With a large number of Indians already involved in mobile Internet development, the initiative—with a lot of foresight—needs all possible support.

Niraj K Gupta www.telecombyNirajGupta.com