Strategy Analytics: 4G LTE Spurs New Growth in Mobile Broadband PC Modem Subscriptions

BOSTON, June 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite continued strong growth of smartphones, tablets and the prevalence of WiFi, mobile broadband subscriptions on connected PC and modems will see new growth driven by LTE and emerging markets. Strategy Analytics forecasts global mobile broadband subscriptions on mobile PCs, external modems and portable mobile WiFi hotspots will generate nearly US $60 billion in service revenues for mobile operators in 2017—while driving nearly 15 million terabytes of traffic on mobile networks.

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The Strategy Analytics Wireless Operator Strategies (WOS) service report, "Mobile Broadband Device Connections: LTE Pushes Global PC Modems to 420 Million Subs in 2017," projects that India will join China and the US as the top global markets in terms of number of subscriptions.

In addition to LTE, operator tariffs that aim to stimulate more connected computing devices are driving renewed market growth, including:

• Service plans allowing multiple devices to share a pooled data allocation on a single data plan;
• Prepaid options such as data day passes;
• Out-of-the-box connectivity options for PCs with embedded 3G or 4G, such as the 4G Connect "comes-with-data" model launched by T-Mobile USA and HP initially on notebooks or the just announced Dell NetReady solution offering integrated 3G mobile connectivity from Telefonica for notebooks and tablets in a pan-European, pay-as-you-go model targeting enterprises.

"While not showing the same growth as smartphones and tablets, mobile broadband connections on PCs and modems are not a dying category," notes Susan Welsh de Grimaldo, Director, Wireless Operators & Networks at Strategy Analytics. On the contrary, she adds, "3G and 4G LTE and new pricing models will drive over 2x growth globally, with markets like India experiencing a 45 percent compound annual growth rate from 2012-2017."

Phil Kendall, Director, Wireless Operator Strategies, adds, "Population penetration will be highest in smaller Asia Pacific rim countries such as Hong Kong and Singapore, as well as Western Europe markets like Austria, Sweden and Italy. Emerging markets Brazil, India and Indonesia will show strong growth as video content, enterprise use and network upgrades will drive demand for wide-area connectivity."

The companion report, "Global Active Mobile Broadband PC/Modem Subscriptions, Service Revenue and Data Traffic Forecast: 2007-2017," provides detailed forecasts for subscriptions, average revenue per user (ARPU) and service revenues, average monthly mobile data traffic and total network traffic, as well as revenue per gigabyte forecasts for mobile connected PCs and modems, covering 37 countries as well as regional and global views.

About Strategy Analytics

Strategy Analytics, Inc. provides the competitive edge with advisory services, consulting and actionable market intelligence for emerging technology, mobile and wireless, digital consumer and automotive electronics companies. With offices in North America, Europe and Asia, Strategy Analytics delivers insights for enterprise success. www.StrategyAnalytics.com 

US Contact: Susan Welsh de Grimaldo, +1 617 614 0724, [email protected]

European Contact: Phil Kendall, +44(0) 1908 423 600, [email protected]

SOURCE Strategy Analytics