Verizon Wireless: no limits on data

As well as rolling out its Express Network to 29 new markets, Verizon has also become the first US mobile carrier to implement a flat-rate data transmission pricing model. But while Verizon's first-mover status may allow it to take the lead in the mobile data space, it will soon face strong competition from other carriers' next generation networks.

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Forecourt mPayments: the Dutch lead the way

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Abbey National/Orange: making life less complicated

It's another innovative move from Abbey National: customers will soon be able to get cash and talk time for their mobiles with one visit to an ATM. The new scheme looks set to be a winner, with similar programs already successfully implemented elsewhere in the world. Abbey is clearly the UK's leading bank in developing novel distribution strategies.

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McDonald's: drop in for a byte

The fast food giant is said to have signed a deal with Internet company Softbank to install wireless network links in nearly 4,000 of its restaurants. However, while it is increasingly popular for cafes and restaurants to offer Internet services, the trend looks unlikely to spread to McDonald's outlets in Europe.

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RIM: taking BlackBerry beyond email

RIM's Mobile Data Service will provide additional corporate data access capabilities. Although the company's BlackBerry corporate email product has been successful within enterprises, it now faces declining revenues and increasing competition. It will need to continue diversifying its solutions going forward.

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Orange/Vodafone: taking control

Vodafone, meanwhile, is looking at buying its French affiliate SFR, as the vultures circle round Vivendi. Both acquisitions could be unpopular with shareholders in the current negative telecoms climate. Even so, they should prove beneficial in the long term: they would fill the biggest gaps in both carriers' pan-European coverage.

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Vodafone: banking on data

The lower subscriber figures don't matter too much, as Vodafone's focus is now on boosting average revenue per user (ARPU). Unfortunately, 12-month ARPU figures were also down. Data revenues were up, which Vodafone believes will allow it to raise ARPU going ahead. However, the challenge will be in migrating users from SMS to higher-value messaging services.

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Sega: taking advantage of the growing mGames market

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KPN Mobile: the second coming isn't pre-paid

While i-mode is being hailed as the 'second coming' for European mobile data services, various obstacles may deter its uptake. In particular, KPN is not rolling out a pay-as-you-go service - instead, it requires a subscription. This is likely to deter young users, whose viral marketing has been one of the factors driving the service's Japanese success.

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mmO2: it's all about networking

Consolidating infrastructure contracts will bring major cash savings, and therefore seems sensible. More interesting, though, is the outsourcing deal: mmO2's Dutch business will effectively become a virtual operator, with Ericsson managing its entire network. This could be a good model for other mid-to-small scale mobile operators to adopt.

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