Patrick served as chief executive of Doeg Hill Ventures, a venture capital firm that focused on wireless telecommunications, before the appointment. Patrick will report to Pittman. The appointment is not surprising, according to analysts. That's because the wireless market is expected to explode in popularity among Net users around the world. The expected size of the market has sent many major Internet players into a scramble.
Net companies view wireless access as a way to expand their services to consumers.
These companies believe that consumers will remain loyal if they can access their email or send an instant message on any device, be it a PC, cell phone or television. This is especially crucial for companies trying to stake out territory in a market where competitors are just one click away. Although wireless Net access is not as widespread as PC access, Net giants are not sitting on their hands. In fact, a battle may be brewing for wireless dominance. In June last year, AOL announced it would allow its subscribers to send and receive email from their accounts to the popular Palm handhelds.