Las Vegas, Jan 25 -- Jim Ryan, vice president of consumer data services for Cingular Wireless, opened NATPE Mobile ++ yesterday with a call to

action, telling attendees that "mobile is the next great medium" and that if they're not at the leading edge, they may well miss the boat.

Claiming the wireless revolution will "empower every man, woman and child on the planet with direct, real-time, interactive access to the collective intelligence of humankind," Ryan came armed with stats to back up his call to arms: "There are currently 1.5 billion mobile phone users in the world today, and two-thirds of the global population is covered by wireless," he said.

Ryan added that today's mobile phones and services are "at a cost point which is set to include everyone."

Claiming mobile connectivity will fundamentally change the way we communicate, even potentially debase current power structures, Ryan said the TV business had an obligation to ensure the changes were done responsibly, with an open and non-corrupt charter.

(Source: NATPE Daily)