The Strategy Analytics research group (http://www.strategyanalytics.com) predicts that greater use of operator retail stores and subsidies could grow volumes of tablet sales by over 70% in the US and Europe.
Companies across the value chain are developing strategies to participate in the hot new tablet market, driven by the success of the Apple iPad, the firm says. Mobile operators, such as AT&T and Verizon Wireless, have announced plans to sell the iPad directly in their retail stores. As device vendors ready new tablets, aiming to take market share from Apple, it is important to understand the role that operators and their subsidies can play in tablet market growth, says Chris Ambrosio, executive director of the Strategy Analytics Global Wireless Practice.
“Subsidies can be an important tool to promote tablet sales, but operators need to price data plans at levels that support profitability,” adds Martin Bradley, co-author of the report.