Gartner Says Wireless E-Mail Will Be a Built-In Application on All Smartphones by the End of 2008; Analysts Examine the Future of Wireless Technologies During the Gartner Wireless & Mobile Summit, April 11-13 in Los Angeles

Business Wire, April 12, 2005

LOS ANGELES -- IT departments should plan now for wireless e-mail on all supported handheld devices, as wireless e-mail will be a built-in application on all smartphones by the end of 2008, according to Gartner, Inc.

Gartner analysts presented the future of wireless applications during the Gartner Wireless & Mobile Summit, which is being held here April 11-13. Gartner analysts said wireless e-mail is becoming a mainstream application alongside mobile voice communications, but the variance between those who can communicate via voice and those who can communicate via e-mail is still significant.

"Operators are reluctant to permit widespread messaging access to their networks without collecting fees from those who send such messages, such as spam," said Ken Dulaney, vice president and distinguished analyst at Gartner. "However, operators will lose this battle the same way that telecommunications companies lost the battle against an open Internet."

At this time, wireless e-mail adoption is limited by high monthly prices charged by operators for data services for Research In Motion's Blackberry, combined with a poor understanding of the key benefits of wireless e-mail to the organization. Gartner analysts said this is no different from the early days of mobile voice. The period from invention of mobile voice to mass adoption was lengthy, but mass adoption of mobile e-mail should be much faster.

While some companies may have difficulty justifying wireless e-mail on its own, it does have an impact on the frequency of use of other types of communications. If traffic transference can be established, the adoption of wireless e-mail may be cost neutral.

"One of the first places to examine is whether wireless e-mail will reduce some of the voice minutes," Mr. Dulaney said. "For example, a business manager might see voicemails dropping precipitously and find real benefits to the fact that messages can be forwarded easily inside and outside the organization. The overall cost per message delivered is likely to be lower, given the theory that most phone calls are several minutes long and include the time to connect to the person called."

About Gartner Wireless & Mobile Summit 2005

Gartner Wireless & Mobile Summit 2005 offers participants new concepts and best practices to increase ROI on wireless investment, insights on the future of wireless, and unbiased perspectives on devices, systems, integration and the latest trends. Attendees have access to the information necessary for them to reduce costs, while maximizing their mobile initiatives. More information on the Summit is available at www.gartner.com/us/wireless.> About Gartner

Gartner, Inc. is the leading provider of research and analysis on the global information technology industry. Gartner serves more than 10,000 clients, including chief information officers and other senior IT executives in corporations and government agencies, as well as technology companies and the investment community. The Company focuses on delivering objective, in-depth analysis and actionable advice to enable clients to make more informed business and technology decisions. The Company's businesses consist of Research and Events for IT professionals; Gartner Executive Programs, membership programs and peer networking services; and Gartner Consulting, customized engagements with a specific emphasis on outsourcing and IT management. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, and has over 3,900 associates, including more than 1,100 research analysts and consultants, in more than 75 locations worldwide. For more information, visit www.gartner.com.