The sales of new devices with integrated mobile broadband connectivity, together with external USB modems, will top 100 million in 2010, as mobile broadband makes major inroads into the mass market, stimulated by new devices such as the Amazon Kindle and Apple iPad and more aggressive tariffs from mobile operators, according to Strategy Analytics (http://www.strategyanalytics.com).
According to a new study by the research group, the installed base of mobile broadband modems will have grown to 415 million devices by 2014, highlighting the need for true, ubiquitous mobility, that enables users to engage with their contacts and content whatever their location.
“Decreasing module costs and greater variety of pre and post-pay tariff plans are making mobile broadband more accessible, allowing more people to access their content wherever and whenever they desire,” says Andrew Brown, director of Wireless Enterprise Strategies at Strategy Analytics and author of the report. “Going forward, emerging markets and M2M will represent major opportunities for growth.”
Susan Welsh de Grimaldo, director, Mobile Broadband Opportunities (MBO), adds: “Clearly we are at an inflection point in the mobile broadband market. New devices, such as the Amazon Kindle and Apple iPad, as well as netbooks and notebooks, are helping to drive mobile broadband into the mass market.”