Norson Telecom Consulting Today Released: Post-SMS MOBILE DATA in CHINA - "The SHIFT to WAP" Research Report

Norson forecasts WAP-enabled mobile phones will surpass personal computers as the most popular way for Chinese consumers to use the Internet within this decade. WAP allows mobile phone users to access the Internet by compensating for the smaller memory size of current phones and for the lower bandwidth of existing mobile wireless networks.

Beijing, China (PR WEB) June 9th, 2004 -- Norson announced today the release of a major new report on the evolving Chinese Mobile Data Market. It offers 60 pages of detailed industry analysis on China's shift to the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP).

Seven Key Questions Addressed:

1. How quickly will WAP services overtake SMS & MMS as the leading mobile consumer service in China?

2. Who will profit most from the rapidly growing mass audience for WAP services?

3. What new WAP services will be the most popular?

4. When will WAP mobile Internet users exceed the number of PC-based Internet users in China?

5. How did WAP survive early market failures to re-emerge as the hottest new mobile consumer service?

6. Which operators and service providers (SPs) are best positioned for success with WAP users?

7. How will the shift to WAP affect the share prices of China's publicly listed mobile operators and Internet portals?

Preview of Key Findings

Norson forecasts:

1. The China Mobile Value-Added Services (MVAS) market, which was worth 2.7 billion USD in 2003, will nearly double in 2004.

2. WAP users will jump from just under 10 million in 2003 to reach more than 70 million by 2005.

3. Revenue for third-party WAP service providers will rise from 25 million USD in 2003 to more than 400 million USD in 2005.

4. A host of third-party service providers, including Cota, Hurray, and Tom, are emerging to dominate this green field opportunity.

Major Figures

1. Comparative Revenue Forecasts for WAP vs. SMS, MMS, IVR, CRBT, Java & BREW (2001-2008)

2. Total China MVAS (mobile value added services) Revenue and Service Provider MVAS Revenue (2001-2008)

3. China Mobile & China Unicom WAP Revenue Forecasts (2003-2005)

4. Revenue Forecasts for the Top Six WAP Service Providers (2003-2005)

5. China Mobile & China Unicom WAP User Forecasts (2003-2005)

6. China WAP Total User Forecast (2003-2005)

7. Market Share Percentage for the Top WAP Service Providers (Q3 2003-Q1 2004)

Norson on the Future of WAP

"SMS was the first killer application that launched China's mobile data market.

WAP provides the new engine to unleash consumer demand for the Mobile Internet in China, just as it did in Korea and Japan," said Craig Watts, General Manager of Norson Telecom Consulting.

"WAP is set to follow a dramatic growth trajectory similar to that of SMS. SMS is a static, text-based messaging service.

WAP is entirely new. It's a real-time, online, interactive user experience."

For more information contact:

Dave Carini, Business Development Manager

Tel: +86 10 65906226

www.norson.com.cn

About Norson Telecom Consulting

Beijing-based Norson is a recognized research leader for statistics, forecasts, and analysis on the mobile data market in China. Norson's cross-cultural team enjoys close relationships with key players throughout the China telecom market and has extensive expertise handling market and strategy-related consulting assignments.

In June 2003, Norson published another groundbreaking report: "The Mainland Mobile Data Service Provider Market". It has been widely cited by the media and financial community and included in the listing documents for major sector players completing IPOs.

www.norson.com.cn

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