"It's not the technology that's important it's what you can do with it. And what you can do with it will depend on the type of customer you are. If you are a business customer, you'll probably do some of the things you're doing right now. Get your email, but this time you'll get it at blazing speeds. You'll get attachments with your email which you can't do wirelessly now. You'll be able to surf the Web. If you're a consumer, you'll be able to have instant messaging. It's always on, you don't have to log onto the Internet, you're already there..whether you're a business or consumer customer."
The new services will require new handsets or cards that will work with PDAs or notebook computers. While the initial applications may focus on business, Esrey believes many young people could lead the charge into 3G...
"You're in the mall and suddenly you get a notice that says to Sally that Peggy is also in the mall. You can also instant message, which is also blazingly fast with 3G, it's always on, you don't have to access anything. You've got a little camera in your phone... you send a picture back and forth and you agree to meet.
And that, says Esrey... is just for starters. Bloomberg Boot Camp, I'm Fred Fishkin.