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Over the past year, we've seen an explosion in SIM-only deals for contract and prepaid customers in Europe. Such deals offer just a SIM (and some minutes for contract subscribers), but come without the subsidised or free phone that's attached to other plans. I've read that SIM-only deals now account for over 15 percent of connections in some European countries a... Read more

Watching market developments over recent weeks I can't help thinking that the prepaid segment will be the one that makes or breaks the fortunes of mobile device manufacturers and network operators in Western Europe in 2008.
We saw a similar turn of events last year, with the prepaid market seeing renewed impetus as growth in the contract market slowed. Ma... Read more

Today Vodafone announced it will offer the iPhone in 10 new countries. The deal gives Apple a much-needed shot in the arm at a time when its international strategy seemed to be faltering.
Vodafone will sell the iPhone "later this year" in Australia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey. At its mos... Read more

In a research note I wrote a couple of weeks ago I made the observation that Apple's strategy in Europe was faltering. Growing evidence suggests that unless the company overhauls its approach to the European market it risks killing the initial momentum it secured for the iPhone.
Apple's COO, Tim Cook, stated on an earnings call last night that "carriers a... Read more

I'm posting this from my shiny new toy a Nokia N810 Internet Tablet. It cost me about as much as an entry-level laptop, but I can't resist tiny, powerful gadgets. It's got a great slide-out keyboard, GPS and a bright, sharp screen. I love the stand, which flips out into three positions and lets me put the device on a desk or a coffee table and use it as a mobile... Read more