Ericsson, 3 & Mobeon launch first mobile video mail

According to surveys done by Ericsson and Mobeon, simplicity and message-service opportunities are decisive when it comes to selecting operators. Video mail for 3’s customers is expected to be available already on 12 May; its official name is 3VideoSvar.

Video calling constitutes a key function that primarily differentiates old mobile technology from new. Up to now, video functionality hasn’t used its full potential because mobile answering hasn’t existed for video telephony. The consequences are missed calls for persons being called and missed contacts for callers, because users couldn’t leave messages when they use video in the 3G network. And the reason might be phones being shut off or the person being called is busy talking with someone else.

The new service will considerably improve current mobile answering functions. Thanks to the new technology, users who cannot answer may record a video message for callers, who in turn, can leave video messages. So communication among 3G users is now significantly simplified and strengthened. The service manages video and voice messages, which creates a mobile message center for video and voice. Video mail also simplifies all functions, such as “press 1 to record," etc. are transformed into animated menus that enable an overview, ease-of-use, and speed for users. In addition, they can get the big picture, i.e., better overview. The overview improves even further with 3 offering their customers 3Mail on the web where all messages are received:voice, video, SMS, MMS, and e-mail.

Users’ needs have driven video mail development. Up to now, this function has not been available to 3G users. A survey performed by Mobeon show that video answering-related services can be decisive when it comes to selecting an operator—particularly for young users. Flexibility and simplicity offered by this service facilitates user friendliness that clearly goes beyond current answering services.

Video mail services will be successively developed. At the start, several prerecorded video messages will be available, and users may choose among them if they don’t care to use their own recordings. Soon, the offering of videos with greetings will increase, for example, music videos, animated videos, and humorous clips.

About the 3-Ericsson-Mobeon partnership
Ericsson has developed the basic business solution for 3VideoSvar. The solution enables a comprehensive, efficient, easy, IP-based message service. It consists of several components, such as Ericsson’s video gateway system, messaging-over-IP, and system integration. The video gateway system enables use of IP-based message services in a 3G network. Mobeon, which is partly owned by Ericsson, develops part of the messaging-over-IP software. Ericsson, which is ultimately responsible to operators, drives functionality, guarantees security and stability, and provides support from an international perspective through its global presence. 3 create services that are considered key for users, and 3VideoSvar is the latest result of cooperation among the three companies.

Expected launch date
3 plans to make the service available for its customers on 12 May 2005. As mentioned above the official name of the service is 3VideoSvar.

Costs and usage
3VideoSvar will incur no cost for users; instead, it is automatically connected. Calling 3VideoSvar is the same as calling 3Svar (3 Videomail). Users’ press 333 as usual, but they select the video button instead of the telephone button.