QUALCOMM and NTELOS intend to launch the first BREW Consumer Portal. Complementing NTELOS' existing BREW data services, the portal will allow NTELOS to offer its subscribers the browsing for and selection of BREW applications and services over a Web-based storefront.  The BREW Consumer Portal, which is expected to be available later this year, will enable NTELOS to better promote content best suited to its subscribers.

The new portal provides both an Internet shopping portal and an administrative portal.

While the former can be used by the wireless subscribers to discover and download mobile content, the latter enables management of the content that is displayed and available for download.

 

The content is delivered to the mobile device via the BREW Delivery System once a user selects an application or service. The back-end administrative portal can also be used by the operators for managing the shopper portal user interface. This allows them to configure the site's appearance and the information made available to end users through shopper portal icons, banners, graphics information, and the overall BREW Consumer Portal main page presentation. The BREW Consumer Portal reportedly supports both pre-pay and post-pay billing methods for increased content purchasing.
 
“When NTELOS announced the launch of BREW services in June 2004, it signified our commitment to offering the very latest in compelling mobile content to our wireless subscribers,” said Carl Rosberg, president of NTELOS in a statement. “NTELOS intends to be the first wireless operator in the world to launch the BREW Consumer Portal and, by doing so, expects to raise the standard for what is possible in improving the user's experience. This effort is another example of how we provide our customers with the latest in mobile content and the ability to discover all the exciting wireless data services available today.”

 

According to Arvin Chander, vice president of carrier relations for QUALCOMM Internet Services, there is a need in the wireless industry to provide end users with options for discovering exciting and advanced mobile content. Chander points out that NTELOS plans to address that need with its launch of a Web-based shopper portal for BREW applications and services.

 

“By providing NTELOS with not only a Web-based shopping portal, but an administrative function for controlling information pushed to the Web, the BREW Consumer Portal will help NTELOS drive the uptake of compelling data services,” he concludes.