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Nokia looks to boost MMS exposure
Tuesday, September 18 2001
by Kevin O' Brady


In a move to increase the exposure of multimedia messaging (MMS), Nokia has
launched a service that will allow users with GSM phones to receive MMS messages.


MMS is a next generation SMS service which combine text messages with colours,
sounds and short animations. The service, until now, had been restricted to more
advanced mobile phones which contained the required software and hardware that
allowed for the enhanced messages. 



The Multimedia Terminal Gateway, launched by Nokia on Tuesday, will allow mobile
operators to deliver MMS to non-multimedia terminals, also known as legacy
phones. 

 

However the Finnish company's latest move has a major drawback. In order to
access the service users will need a computer with Internet access. 



Users of legacy phones will receive an MMS delivery in the form of a short
message notification. This will include details of the relevant URL address and a
password for retrieving messages by using a Web browser.



Users will also be able to reply to the message with a Web-created MMS or forward
the original message to an e-mail address. In addition, the gateway will provide
mobile handset users with the possibility of storing MMS in personal albums.



Meanwhile, mobile handset users will be able to use personal albums for long-term
storage of messages and will be able to free up the memory on their handsets.



Personal albums may be accessed through either a Web or a WAP interface. In
addition, subscribers will be able to compose and send MMS using the album
service, browse currently stored messages, retrieve previously stored messages
and forward a retrieved message to an e-mail address or to another phone.



While the company admits that the gateway is somewhat cumbersome, Riitta Mard,
senior communications manager for Nokia Networks told ElectricNews.Net,  "The
new service will enable non-SMS users to participate in MMS." 



In addition it is believed that the service will boost the exposure of MMS and
encourage users with legacy phones to upgrade to newer MMS phones as the holiday
season approaches. MMS, and other next generation short messaging services are
expected to be a major boom for the wireless industry in much the same way SMS
was.  



Nokia said that it sees the future of person-to-person messaging as being based
mainly on MMS technology. Furthermore, legacy phone support plays a crucial role
in the initial development of MMS services, and the gateway will help MMS become
adapted as a mass market service, claimed the company.



As regards revenues from the new service, the gateway will be sold as a package
for mobile operators worldwide. However, Nokia would not disclose how much the
package would cost.



For MMS users, the gateway will be made available like an operator service,
explained Mard. Again, however, no details are available as to projected revenue
volumes.



The new services are expected to become available during the fourth quarter of
2001.



Nokia is at http://www.nokia.com.