14 DAY TRIAL // Vodafone has just launched a new concept that is meant to revolutionize the way that mobile Web surfing takes place. Along with some new lower data tariffs, the mobile service provider company has also ready an idea for making Web sites display much easier and better on the display screen of mobile phones.
Vodafone's mobile Internet gateways intercept requests to third party sites, processing the data that is returned into a form which is adapted to mobile phone display requirements. This uses a transcoder which sites recognize as a PC browser. All the content of the sites is then reorganized in order to make it best for mobile view.
Moreover, sites also get a footer and header on each page, which provides valuable space for advertising. The solution appears to be convenient both for Vodafone and Web-site owners. Still, there are people that find themselves in a troublesome situation.
Mobile Web site owners have to register their domains with Vodafone in order to run properly from now on too. The reason for this is that the telecommunications company will make efforts for improving these Web versions too, although that is not necessary. As a result of this, the Web content will no longer be displayed as it should, but in a rearranged manner.
Vodafone will add personal advertisements in the footer and header of each page that is being displayed. Moreover, personal advertisements, which help the mobile Web site be profitable are removed and replaced.
Still, the company claims that removing all advertisements from the Web sites they process is meant only to provide faster speed. "There's no strategy to strip out adverts from the mobile internet, the technology is designed to present content from the internet as quickly as possible", said Alan Russell, Vodafone's head of mobile internet and content services.
Vodafone's interest for providing their users with the best mobile Internet experience is a positive one, even though current mobile Web site owners will not be all that thrilled about it.