The perceived importance of 3G has grown dramatically in the past year, with 73% of respondents to a World Wide Worx study rating it as an important emerging technology in 2006 - up from 22% in 2005.
However, there is a chance that WiMax, which is not yet commercially available, could wipe out 3G by 2010, says World Wide Worx MD Arthur Goldstuck.
Goldstuck was presenting the results of a study whose primary aim was to determine the adoption trends of mobile and wireless technologies in the corporate sector.
The study was based on in-office interviews with a 100 telecoms and IT decision-makers from JSE-listed companies and major unlisted companies, Goldstuck says.
"Sometimes the importance of a technology becomes apparent after it has been rolled out, as was the case with 3G."
Goldstuck notes that 3G penetration levels have risen from 5% in 2004 to 34% in 2005, leaping to 59% in 2006. The technology is expected to have 75% penetration levels in the corporate environment in 2007, he says.
Cellphone for e-mail access has also grown dramatically, going from nowhere to about 70% penetration in 2006, he says. It is expected to reach 80% next year.
"That is a direct reflection of the impact e-mail-enabled phones have had on the market."
Access to a company-sponsored cellphone is a reflection of one`s status in the workplace, Goldstuck says. Some 78% of corporates provide cellphones to senior management with 55% providing them to mid-management. Only a small proportion of corporates provide these tools to low-level staff, he notes.
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