Just as all of the conditions are right for a breakthrough in the use of broadband, we foresee several reasons for a dramatic boom in the use of wireless.

Let’s examine the facts and implications related to this trend.

Currently, the world's population is using 1.2 billion cell phones. But this technology hasn't reached saturation — far from it. Industry experts predict that, within just the next three years, the number of cell phone users will soar to 2 billion. And, as we've seen in the PC industry, this is a technology driven by constant upgrades. In any given year, 33 percent of
customers replace their old models with newer phones that are smaller, lighter, or equipped with more advanced features.

Today's higher-end units now include cameras and MP3 players. They allow users to search the Web, send e-mail, listen to music, play games, balance their checkbooks, and watch videos.

While many other high-tech industries suffered through a slump in sales over the past few years, cell phone companies are seeing their revenues surge. In the first quarter of 2003, the industry reported an increase in sales of cell phones of nearly 20 percent.

As the technology evolves swiftly, its ultimate direction is not yet clear. It is likely to encompass today's cellular networks and the next-generation technology, (known as 3G), Wi-Fi, ultra-wideband, fixed wireless, and new technologies that are still being developed. It doesn't really matter which of these technologies dominates the industry. The key idea is that this is a market that is big and about to get much bigger. In 2002, wireless generated half a trillion dollars in sales of cell phones, service, and infrastructure. Within the next three years, the industry will approach the trillion-dollar mark.

What this means is that wireless offers a huge opportunity whether you are thinking of starting a new business or improving your existing one.

Here are just nine of the changes we will see in the not-too-distant future:

1. Companies in many traditional industries will exploit wireless to improve customer service and outperform the competition. For example, State Farm's insurance estimators carry two wireless laptops and a digital camera to accident scenes, which allows the company to issue checks to some of its customers on the same day the claim is filed. A...