User needs for services in UMTS

The business cases for the emerging Universal Mobile Terrestrial System (UMTS) networks can only be fulfilled if the present voice revenues are expanded by another similar revenue stream, from a group of services called ``non voice'' or ``data services'', often interpreted by experts as Streaming Video Services (SVS). The Japanese i-mode and the Philippines' success with SMS based services, demonstrates it is possible, but it is also a question of different cultures. The widespread interest world wide in introducing General Packet Radio System (GPRS), reflects mobile operators strong interest in understanding two basic questions: What are user needs for services, expressed in terms of services- and derived technical specifications? In this paper we will try to answer these questions based on lessons that can be learnt from i-mode.