Phone that thinks it's a laptop

By TOBY WALNE, CHIEF MONEY REPORTER
Updated:

 

THE high-tech attraction of the latest 3G mobile phone services can provide a great boost to workers on the move using 3G extras, such as fast video streaming and enhanced web connections.

They can get on with essential work on their mobile that might otherwise have required a trip back to the office.

Forbidden Technologies, a video editing company in Wimbledon, south-west London, is one of a new breed of small firms embracing 3G, having recently signed up with Orange. Director Greg Hirst says: 'We've been waiting for 3G to catch up with our business needs and it finally seems to be happening.'

The firm uses mobile phone technology for editing purposes. It often sends video samples for other businesses by phone for legal or editorial advice before completing professional business videos.

Greg says: 'Video clips can now be sent in an instant across the world and be ready for broadcasting within minutes. Previous mobile technology, such as GPRS, also enabled us to send text, pictures and videos, but speeds were too slow to be of practical use.'

Technology-driven firms are not the only ones to benefit from the revolution, with self-employed tradesmen finding the 'just-in-time' opportunities offered by better web connections particularly useful.

Steve Rose, managing director of Ableflame, a gas installation and maintenance firm in Redditch, Worcestershire, has signed up to 3G through 02. His 15 engineers take pictures on emergency callouts and can order spares instantly. Steve says: 'Before this technology arrived, they would return to head office after a day in the field with a list of parts they needed. Now, valuable time is being saved for everyone.'

Despite the hype surrounding 3G, the technology is still relatively new, which means glitches still happen - and only 85% of the country is covered by 3G.

Clive Richardson, director of products business solutions for Orange, says: 'The opportunities are only starting to be realised about how small businesses can use 3G as a tool. But downtime is now theoretically a thing of the past, with phones effectively becoming hand-held laptops.

'We are now focusing on ensuring coverage across the country and we are making it possible for callers to stay connected when they are on trains passing through tunnels.'

Ed Brewster of Hutchison 3G, which markets its brand as 3, explains that the technology is not limited only to handsets. Last month, 3 launched a wireless web card that plugs into a laptop to connect to the office.

'When we launched in 2003 as the first 3G network provider, we focused on the customer base,' he says. 'Having established a market we are turning to businesses.'

It costs between £2 and £3 to download a megabyte of information on 3G. Video

calls cost about 50p a minute. But as with other mobile phone deals, the most economical way to use 3G is usually through airtime 'bundles', starting from £30 a month.

Small firms will find that they can often negotiate discounts.

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