Qualcomm In
announced Plaza, a platform-agnostic wireless Internet service that
provides a common framework for the development and support of widgets
that will enable operators to provide their end users with quick and
personalized access to the mobile Internet. After the introduction of
Plaza, operators and developers can produce and deliver Internet-based
content across their devices, in order to drive the usage of wireless
data services, improve subscriber stickiness and ultimately increase
operator ARPU.
Plaza is focused on enabling operators to bring more simplicity and
personalization to their subscribers' mobile Internet experiences. When
combined with subscriber intelligence and available device real estate,
Plaza's end-to-end widget framework and user experience provides
operators with a solution to drive use of the mobile Internet. An
integrated marketing platform also plays a role in driving additional
revenue to Plaza operators by allowing for targeted campaigns within
the widget ecosystem.
Plaza extends benefits to content providers by allowing them to
easily create useful widgets that drive users to their service
offerings. Whether it is traditional Web sites, information services or
other content stores, Plaza will enable a host of indirect discovery
benefits and increased product and/or service monetization. Plaza's use
of open standards for widget development will allow the existing Web
development community to create widgets for the mobile Internet, while
not excluding traditional mobile application developers, and even
allowing for user-generated widgets. Qualcomm is actively working with
operators to define and refine the full Plaza experience prior to
commercialization.
Qualcomm Internet Services enables mobile retailing solutions and
Internet services that accelerate consumer adoption and usage of mobile
data worldwide for its operator, brand & affinity and content
provider customers. BREW is a comprehensive solution for customers
seeking to bring high-value wireless services to market and enhance the
mobile experience for consumers. Customers also can benefit from a
portfolio of adaptable, modular products that can be used to address
specific mobile retail challenges from general merchandizing to
personalized recommendations.
"With its multi-platform device support, the Plaza solution will
provide a widget ecosystem that leverages Qualcomm's expertise and
success from the proven BREW ecosystem, giving publishers, developers
and operators the ability to open up the mobile Internet to subscribers
and monetize it for operators and content providers alike," said Andrew
Gilbert, executive vice president and president of Qualcomm Internet
Services, MediaFLO Technologies and Qualcomm Europe. "Plaza is designed
such that mobile widgets can come from a number of sources, including
operators, Web companies and leading brands, who all share the ultimate
goal of driving subscriber adoption of the mobile Internet. We believe
that providing end users with an easy way to extend their online lives
to their mobile devices will help drive the uptake of data services."