Going the wireless way: Ready for the challenge?

"Millions of people are now part of the mobile revolution, and uptake is increasing faster than you may think," said award-winning journalist Joachim Bamrud in his article for TheFeature.Com, an independent voice for the mobile community.

In today’s environment where technology is being embraced more and more in non-traditional areas of business, the mobility of wireless technology actually has an enormous impact on people’s lives.

More and more different types of cellphones, personal digital assistants and handheld computers are coming out these days. Cellphones with built-in cameras, colored screens, voice recording and the latest Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) capability of sending pictures have found their way into the global market.

As ETForecasts, a leading Internet market research and consulting company, predicts, there will be around 398.3 million wireless data users globally by 2004. And Robin Hearn, a UK-based senior analyst, also estimates that the number of wireless data users in the United States will reach 23 million this year, a 58.6 percent increase from last year. The figure includes both wireless Web and Short Messaging Service users.

As these statistics show, the growth of the wireless Web will continue. Companies worldwide are embracing wireless technological advancements in non-traditional business areas, thus boosting the demand for information technology workers with up-to-date skills and expertise to support these wireless technology systems.

So, who should get wireless technology skills and knowledge?

• Systems and network administrators,

• Systems and network engineers,

• Systems and network analysts,

• Technical support and implementation engineers,

• Network architects,

• Marketing executives/consultants, and

• IT project managers.

Informatics Computer Institute (ICI) is offering working professionals a complete progression pathway leading to degree completion in infocomm technology. Learners can expect to be exposed to the world of wireless communication technologies and stay abreast of all the latest developments in wireless technologies.

Specific areas covered include wireless communication systems, wireless LAN, mobile commerce, mobile payment mechanisms and security, international wireless communications and Bluetooth technology.

"The programs offered by Informatics Computer School will equip learners with the confidence to participate in the global workforce and be at par with the rest of the world," says David Wang, product development director of the School of Info-Comm Technology.

For more information on programs of the School of Info-Comm Technology, contact Charlyne Santos, assistant director for academics, at [email protected].