While 3G networks truly bring nearly ultimate communication capabilities to cell phones, customers are reluctant to migrate to the new standard because quite some of the benefits the innovative phones and network provide should be actually supported by operators at relatively low cost, at the same time, some more services are needed to be offered for casual users, something they don't have on conventional phones.

?A big 3G driver will be music and multimedia downloads,?said Simon Beresford-Wylie, executive vice president of Nokia's networks division.

?Nokia is forecasting a sharp rise in 3G network subscribers, and is suggesting that at least 70 million subscribers will be using the technology by the end of 2005, up from 16 million at the end of 2004. The upbeat prediction came as the Finnish handset maker launched three 3G mobile phones and digital music collaboration with Microsoft Corp.. Microsoft will port the latest version of Windows Media Player to Nokia handsets. The combination will allow music to be transferred between mobile phones and PCs,?claims CommsDesign web-site.

• CommsDesign: Nokia Forecasts Big Jump in 3G Subscribers.