The arrival of 3G competitors with large capacity on the market is likely to lead to a price war, according to the wireless strategy consultancy Northstream. In a report brought out to coincide with the the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes, it is alleged that established players are delaying 3G and infrastructure investments while concentrating… Continue reading 3G Price War On The Horizon

Digital video recorders could still achieve widespread adoption, despite the recent decision of key manufacturer Tivo to withdraw from the UK market. According to analysts at IMS Research, Tivo’s exit does not mean DVR failure in Europe. In its Worldwide Market for Digital Video Recorders report, IMS forecasts that 4.1 million DVR units will be… Continue reading Digital Video Recorders Will Thrive In Europe, Says IMS Research

The continuation of ‘extremely difficult’ market conditions has caused 2002 revenues at advertising network, Cordiant Communications, to fall by 11% to £533 million. The figure was further dented by key account losses in the US, the group said in a trading update this morning. Despite the fall in revenues, operating profits look set to meet… Continue reading Cordiant Revenues Dip 11% In 2002, Disposals Underway

Anglo-Dutch publishing group, Reed Elsevier, has this morning posted a strong set of 2002 financial results, with organic growth outperforming the market in each of the group’s publishing divisions. After adjusting for currency changes, revenues rose by 13% in the year, whilst pre-tax profits increased by 2%. Reed says that it has achieved the targets… Continue reading Reed Elsevier Sees Good Growth Despite Tough Markets

Shareholders at UPC, Europe’s largest cable operator, have approved plans to press ahead with a restructuring programme that will enable the group to emerge from bankruptcy protection. At a meeting in Amsterdam, an overwhelming majority of shareholders were in favour of a debt-for-equity swap that should secure the future of the network. UPC wants to… Continue reading UPC On The Road To Recovery

Consumer use of mobile phones for the transfer of data will generate revenues of $71 billion worldwide by 2007, according to a new report from analyst and consulting group Ovum. This year, traffic and subscription revenues generated by consumers sending data via their phones will account for 93% of operators’ data revenues; this will fall… Continue reading Consumer-Driven Mobile Data Revenues To Hit $71bn By 2007, Says Ovum

Freeview, the new digital terrestrial service, is proving a much-needed shot in the arm for the multi-channel industry in the UK, says a new report out today. Continental Research found that awareness of Freeview, which launched last autumn, has grown significantly in the last six months. Back in July 2002, only 39% of UK adults… Continue reading Freeview Boosts Digital TV Sector

Total Japanese advertising expenditure was down by 5.9% in 2002, the second successive annual fall, according to the leading ad agency Dentsu. Total adspend for the year was £29.6 billion but revenues fell across the board as the market failed to recover from the estimated 0.9% decline in 2001 (see Japan Advertising Falls 0.9% In… Continue reading Japanese Ad Revenues Decline In 2002

Newspapers are failing to realize the full potential of online content because of a reluctance to introduce flexible payment schemes. That is the conclusion of a new study by the Dutch research firm, Van Dusseldorp & Partners entitled The Guide to European Content Payment Solutions. The advertising downturn has had a particularly severe effect on… Continue reading Online Newspapers Can Profit From New Payment Solutions

Growth in the UK radio advertising market stabilised in 2002, but was at best subdued, with growth of around 2.3%, according to estimates from analysts at Merrill Lynch. The broker is forecasting that 2003 growth will be a little stronger, at around 3% to 4%, but the ‘lacklustre macro conditions’ are likely to prevent any… Continue reading UK Radio Update From Merrill Lynch