IAN PEARSON, of BT, maps the progress of new developments in technology in York. As a "futurist", he advises many industry sectors on the major threats and opportunities ahead.

WIRELESS has now taken on a whole new meaning, covering mobile phones and recently 'WiFi' which enables people to use email and the internet through laptops and mobiles via truly wireless means.

But it is the future of wireless that is really exciting.

One factor that will push wireless into the future is third generation, or 3G, mobile technology. Current systems are mainly based on a system known as GSM, which provides voice and small levels of data, to mobiles. 3G can be compared to the broadband on landlines; video, surfing the web and other truly interactive content will be available to mobile phones too.

So what does this mean to York? Well, there are almost as many applications for this new wireless revolution as the imagination will allow. Shops could market special offers to passers-by. People will be able to elect to receive information on certain goods and receive details when they are near the seller.

So if you are out looking for, say, a digital camera, you could programme this into your phone, walk along Parliament Street and let the sellers "come to you" with prices and pictures too, making a walk in town a bit like the reverse auctions on the web.

Looking for that someone special? Future wireless communications could sort that too! You could place your profile on your mobile and set it to alert you when others with similar profiles are near to you. So a night at Toffs or Ikon/Diva could be even more productive in terms of the time taken to find that perfect partner!

Tourism will also benefit hugely. 3G will enable pictorial histories to be sent directly to mobiles. Imagine marvelling at the splendour of the Micklegate Bar Museum while learning of its 800-year history, or following on your mobile the progress of the real Grand Prix while go-karting at F1 Racing at Monks Cross!

The public sector will benefit. For example, social and health workers and town planners could get pictorial content and information from complex databases "on the spot", meaning that they and their employers will feel even more confident about their decisions.

And think about access to health professionals. Imagine being able to transmit data on heart rates, blood pressure, etc, from equipment linked to your body via your mobile phone. In some cases this is already happening.

Local democracy will also gain a much-needed boost. For example electronic voting could also be possible via mobile helping to ensure a greater turn-out and much more clued up voters.

Of course, mobiles have also brought the need for masts that carry the signals. More of these will be needed if the services of the future are to become reality. Innovative new mini aerials that give out a fraction of the power of traditional masts have been developed to help cities like York make sure that its continued prosperity is helped through world-class mobile communications.

Undoubtedly the mobile communications world has a lot in store. Think back to the 1980s, when just the idea of people wandering about speaking to each other on mini-phones seemed incredible. Now people will need to imagine walking about York with the world in their pockets.

Updated: 13:30 Tuesday, October 05, 2004