We have compiled a photo summary of what happened at the world's largest GSM event, the 3GSM World Congress held in Cannes, France during February 2004. High resolution images are available for some of the photos.

The GSM Association promised that the 3GSM World Congress would be the most successful ever. In a positive sign for the industry after a tough couple of years there are reported to be 30% more pre-registered visitors. In 2003 there were 27,000 visitors while this year the figure has increased to 35,000. The Exhibition space has also increased by 18% to allow for 624 companies to show off their wares, 48 more than last year.

The week kicked off with a world first GSMA Leadership Summit bring together more than 150 mobile operator and vendor CEOs from across the industry in a unique strategic forum.

Also on Monday, 26 leading innovators made five-minute elevator pitches of their latest innovations with a view to winning the high coveted 'Cutting Edge Promise Award'. Lorcan Burke, Chairman of Adaptive Mobile Security was one of the companies that had its chance in front of a distinguished panel and a packed audience.

Another exciting addition to the 2004 event was the 'Cool and Connected' wearable technology fashion show which took place at various times on Monday and Tuesday.

GSM Association looks to next billion

Craig Erlich, Chairman of the GSM Association, and Rob Conway CEO of the GSM Association told reporters at the 3GSM Congress that they were looking forward to the next billion GSM customers after reaching the historic milestone some months earlier than predicted. Erlich said that the Inaugural Leadership Summit of more than 120 operators and 45 vendors had focused on four key challenges facing the industry.

• interoperability
• quality and easy to use terminals
• creating a pro-content environment
• protecting the customers

Erlich also stated that the operator industry intended to tackle the vexing situation with mobile theft, where for example, 49% of all London street crime involved a mobile phone, by creating a single global register of stolen mobile phones. On their part vendors would commit to putting more effort into securing mobile phone identities.

Woosh Wireless speaks at Cannes

The CEO of New Zealand's Woosh Wireless, Bob Smith, and the President and CEO of IP Wireless, Chris Gilbert, provider of technology for the Woosh broadband network, spoke on the opening day of the 3GSM Congress in Cannes. Smith claimed that where Woosh Wireless was able to provide services in Auckland it was capturing 57% of new broadband customers. In the first eight weeks of commercial service Woosh had attracted 10% of Auckland households on their web site and 1% of covered households had taken up the service.

GSMA Awards

China Mobile has taken the prestigeous Chairman's prize at the gala GSM Awards last night in Cannes. The award was made on the basis of China Mobile's contribution to the landmark of one billion GSM customers. With more than 170 million customers China Mobile is the largest GSM operator in the world and China the most important market for GSM. The other awards went to:

• Sony Ericsson and their T610 for the Best Mobile Terminal, Handset or Device
• Argogroup and their Monitor Master User Experience Optimisation Platform for the Best Infrastructure/Network Solution Product
• Vodafone Group plc and their Vodafone Mobile Connect Card for the Best Mobile Application or Service - Corporate Market
• SMART Communications and their SMART Load prepaid recharge product for the Best Mobile Application or Service - Consumer Market
• Valista (Ireland) for the Best Mobile Application Developer
• Telecom Personal SA and the 'CUBE' commercial (Argentina) for the Best TV/Broadcast Commercial
• T-Mobile International and the re-branding of VoiceStream to T-Mobile (USA) for Best Brand, PR or Marketing Campaign
• O2 and 'Milly's Fund' and the Teach UR Mum to TXT personal safety campaign for the Best Use of Mobile for Accessability
• Wideray Corporation and the Uganda Health Information Network (USA) for the Best Use of Mobile for Emergency Situations
• ALVA B.V. and the ALVA MPO (USA and Europe) for the Best Use of Mobile - Special Needs

Voxson back in Cannes

Brisbane-based mobile phone manufacturer Voxson is back in Cannes this year but with a radical change to their market focus. CEO Andrew Longginou said that the company's previous strategy of selling 'mobile engines' for data services had failed and that the company had now refocused on selling high-end mobile phones made to their design in China. Last year Voxson shareholders decided to replace the Board and the CEO with the Longginou family taking back direct control. On display at the show, and attracting a lot of interest even from competitors, was a prototype of the company's new camera equipped phone.

Getting connected at 3GSM 2004 was not a problem. Outside the main halls were locations like the Orange WiFi cafe where you could get a delicious coffee and a hot connection. Well sometimes it was only warm when there were too many visitors. Inside the show there were numerous places where public WiFi connections were available. If all else failed though you could simply set up shop by sitting down and see if you could log on through the many private WiFi networks. Many times there was no security.

Of course there were also the photo opportunities for visitors who might want to be see next to the latest in technology or fashion.

If you got lost you could always see the AutoDesk people and their location equipped car.

All along the Croisette companies had erected tents to show off their products and to offer hospitality.

Then of course there was the Siemens ship with its special VIP accommodation and latest technology. Those that went on the Monday found themselves with a long return trip as the ship had to sail away from the coast as unseasonable winds whipped up the seas.

Lastly there was an abundance of transportation for VIPs including some quirky Nokia sports cars to whip you around the various venues in Cannes.